Across a 48-season career in the NFL, Bill Belichick has coached many different players, but there are some that he will never forget. 

In an exclusive interview with The 33rd team, Belichick revealed the three greatest players he has ever coached. 

Those three players mentioned: Lawrence Taylor, Tom Brady, and Matthew Slater. 

"I've been very fortunate to, I feel like, coach the best offensive player, best player in football in Tom (Brady) . The best defensive player in football in LT (Lawrence Taylor) and the best special teams player in football in (Matthew) Slater," Belichick said. 

Belichick coached Taylor during his 12-year run with the New York Giants. The two-time Super Bowl champion and 1986 NFL MVP certainly earned his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, being formerly inducted in 1999. Taylor ended his career with 132.5 sacks, nine interceptions, two touchdowns, and 11 fumble recoveries across 184 games. 

The outside linebacker racked up numerous awards and recognitions, being a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Years and 10-time Pro Bowler. He was selected by the Giants in the first round, second overall pick, in the 1981 NFL Draft, and that same year was awarded the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Taylor is one of two retired players that Belichick named, with the second coming as no surprise. 

Future Hall of Famer and seven-time Super Bowl champion, Brady is a name that no one will forget when talking about the NFL. The quarterback retired (for the second time) in February 2023, following the 2022 season. A four-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time NFL MVP, ad 15-time Pro Bowler, Brady finished his career with 7,753 completions for 89,214 yards and 649 touchdowns. 

While he holds many record, the one I'm sure he is willing to give up is the most sacked quarterback, with 565 sacks across 335 games. 

However, the last player Belichick mentioned is still going strong, despite speculation that last year was potentially going to be his last. 

Despite being drafted as a wide receiver in the fifth-round draft pick (153rd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, Matthew Slater has spent much of his time at special teams. 

"As a core special teams player, Slater has been the best of all time and I hope he gets recognized for that," Belichick said. 

Slater is entering his 16th season with the Patriots, with 10 Pro Bowl invitations across his career which is the most special teams Pro Bowl honors in NFL history. He has also served as a team captain for 12 seasons. 

Belichick is arguably one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and is thankful that he has had the opportunity to coach some of the best in the business. 

"If you're a coach and you can coach Taylor, Brady, and Slater, that's three pretty good players."

How much did Bill Belichick make when he began his coaching career with the Colts?

Got to start somewhere.

Featured Image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports