Jason

McCourty

McCourty, 35 next month, was the No. 203 overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Titans. He far exceeded his draft position with a lengthy career, spending his first eight seasons in Tennessee before a one-year stop in Cleveland, followed by three years in New England with his twin brother, Devin, and then a final season in Miami last year. McCourty appeared in 173 career games, intercepting 18 passes, forcing nine fumbles, and breaking up another 108 passes.

McCourty, who was brought in by ex-Dolphins coach Brian Flores, won’t be back under a new coaching staff. The 34-year-old started 4-of-7 games before spending the second half of 2021 on IR. McCourty’s Flores ties could draw interest from the Steelers, where Flores left for an assistant role this offseason.

Ian Rapoport added that a source of his said McCourty may need surgery on his foot. The injury is likely a long-term issue but it’s unknown if it will end his season. The Dolphins have McCourty listed as a defensive back but have primarily been using him as a safety this year. McCourty opened the year as nearly an every-down player but has seen his snaps cut back in recent weeks. He has been credited with two pass defenses and 21 combined tackles this season.

McCourty played for Dolphins coach Brian Flores in 2018. Going on 34, McCourty had a down 2020 along with the rest of the Patriots’ opt-out ravaged defense, but he can play all over the secondary. That includes outside, the slot, and perhaps safety. His addition comes the same day the Dolphins waived S Bobby McCain. Regardless of where he plays, McCourty will enhance what is already one of the league’s better groups of defensive backs, provided 2020 wasn’t the start of his age cliff. It would not be surprising with a mid-30s DB.

At least for now, McCourty has completed his Big Apple visit without a deal. There has been zero indication whom the supposed mystery teams might be. McCourty has been connected to the Giants since early April and no one else, at least publicly. Headed into his age-34 campaign, McCourty probably had the worst year of his career in 2020.

There’s reportedly “mutual interest” to get a deal done between the two sides. McCourty played in all 16 games for the Patriots last year and is only one season removed from standing out among its defense, grading as Pro Football Focus’s No. 21 cornerback among 133 qualifiers. He’d add to New York’s secondary, which already invested $39 million into Adoree’ Jackson this offseason.

The Patriots let McCourty walk this offseason after spending the past three seasons in New England. There’s “mutual interest” between him and New York, but other teams could jump into the mix. McCourty would give the Giants a veteran to push second-year CB Darnay Holmes behind James Bradberry and Adoree’ Jackson.

McCourty is dealing with a groin injury, but otherwise this was an easy decision for Bill Belichick and company. Getting Jason signed also seemingly gives the Patriots a better chance of retaining Devin McCourty as well. Jason was fantastic in 2019, earning PFF’s 21st-highest grade among 133 qualified corners.

McCourty will make around $4 million in 2020, assuming this transaction goes through. With the Patriots facing multiple free agency decisions and with McCourty’s contract manageable, this was a near no-brainer for New England, as long as his groin was healing properly. This makes it more likely that Devin McCourty stays a Patriot, too.

McCourty missed four games and played limited snaps down the stretch. The surgery shouldn’t keep him out of offseason workouts. Entering the final year of his deal, McCourty is owed $5.5 million in 2020.