New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty took the podium at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night, fresh off a season-ending loss to the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card game, and said confidently he plans to play football next year.
The 32-year-old defensive back is one of a handful of veteran Patriots who will be free agents when the National Football League’s year begins in March.
“I definitely see me playing football next year,” McCourty said after the 20-13 loss to the Titans.
“I’ve had a lot of fun this year with this group of guys. Each year, we get young guys in here, get to stay in the locker room, mold (these) guys, tell them stories of my past 10 years and how much fun I’ve had,” McCourty said.
“So, I can’t see it happening, me not playing football next year. So, I think over time, I’ll take some time away from football and I think the rest will kind of work itself out. We’ll see how that goes, but I definitely plan to be playing.”
If McCourty plans on playing his 11th season, the Patriots should make sure that he does so in New England. McCourty played at an All-Pro level year in 2019, receiving four All-Pro votes, while playing all 16 games for the league’s No. 1 ranked defense following the regular season. McCourty played 99 percent or more of snaps in 10 of the 16 games this year.
Like he has been throughout his career, McCourty was consistently on the field in 2019. And he was consistently good.
McCourty was second on the team in interceptions (five) after starting the year with four picks in the first four games. It was tied for the second most of his career behind only his rookie year in 2010 when he compiled seven playing cornerback. McCourty added seven pass break ups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 58 combined tackles.
McCourty will have many interested suitors when he hits the open market in March. And while that could mean he’s in for a big pay day, the Patriots should still do everything they can to make something work.
Perhaps staying in New England is what McCourty would want to. And if so, he may not need his biggest financial offer to be from the Patriots. After all, the last deal he signed in 2015, McCourty had bigger deals than the one the Patriots offered, but he still stayed. The last time he hit the open market in 2015, McCourty was one of the best safeties on the open market before he and the Patriots agreed to a five-year deal worth $47.5 million with $22 million guaranteed.
The deal proved the Patriots valued McCourty, both on and off the field. He has been a captain nine times (2011-2019) and continues to be one of the guiding forces both on the defense, and in the locker room. He is not only among the most likable players on the team, but in the NFL.
All told, it’s why the Patriots should keep McCourty in New England.
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