Devin

McCourty

McCourty announced the move via his personal Instagram. He was drafted by the Patriots with the 27th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and stayed in New England for all 13 years of his career. A cornerstone of the Patriots’ defense during the height of their dynasty, McCourty is hanging his cleats up with three Super Bowl rings on his fingers. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie and again in 2016. McCourty totaled 35 interceptions and 110 pass breakups across 205 career games, all of which were starts. Though not a strong contender for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McCourty will certainly be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame as a key member of one of the greatest runs in NFL history.

The veteran safety considered retirement this offseason, but he returns to the only place he has called home since joining the league back in 2010. Heading into his age-35 season, McCourty did not show any signs of slowing down last year.

McCourty plans to play in 2022 after considering retirement. The 34-year-old free agent should be welcomed back by the Patriots after showing no signs of a dropoff in 2021, posting 60 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups while playing 94% of defensive snaps. McCourty played last season at an $8 million salary and could command similar money this offseason.

The 34-year-old was considering retirement but told Tom Curran on Wednesday he was “training with the intention of playing in 2022.” Curran guesses the Pats would “love” to re-sign McCourty, who had a strong 2021 despite his advancing age. With free agency question marks all over their secondary, bringing back McCourty would give the Pats some breathing room.

McCourty, 34, has spent the last 12 seasons with the Patriots. There were no signs of a dropoff last year, with McCourty playing in all 17 games and finishing with his most pass breakups (10) since 2012. An unrestricted free agent after signing a two-year extension in 2020, McCourty is likely to return with Patriots if he doesn’t retire.

This could essentially keep McCourty, 32, in New England for the remainder of his career, as he’s openly talked about retirement in recent seasons. McCourty intercepted five passes in 2019 and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 safety out of 92 qualifiers. It’s clear he still has plenty of game left in the tank. With McCourty locked down, New England moves on to bringing Tom Brady back to New England.

Rapsheet reports it would keep McCourty with the Pats for “the rest of his career.” McCourty notched five picks and seven PBUs in 2019. The Pats had made it clear they were in a holding pattern with long-term talks until the resolution of CBA talks. Bill Belichick will now move quickly to resolve matters with one of his longtime defensive captains and Tom Brady. The Dolphins and ex-Patriots assistant Brian Flores have been rumored to be interested in McCourty.

It’s hardly surprising, as Dolphins coach Brian Flores was McCourty’s position coach from 2012-15, and remained a Patriots defensive assistant through 2018. The real question is if 32-year-old McCourty is interested in landing in a rebuilding situation. Despite his advancing age, McCourty is one of free agency’s top available safeties.

The sides apparently haven’t “met formally,” but the Pats have seemingly made their intentions clear. The Herald previously reported McCourty could be franchise tagged. That would cost approximately $11.5 million. The window is now open.

McCourty didn’t show any dropoff in 2019, tying the second most interceptions of his career (5) and grading out near the top of PFF’s safety ratings. The Patriots’ captain and defensive play-caller, bringing back McCourty should be an easy decision but nothing is a lock when it comes to veteran free agents and Bill Belichick. McCourty would cost $11.5 million if he’s franchised.