Devin McCourty mulling retirement?

[RxJock1120]

what about his play this year said he's no longer capable?

my guess is the price would be right for him to continue

Not speaking from a statistical point of view, just from my own eyes but he has been taking some really bad angles in both coverage and run support.

They only way I would want Devin back would be at the vet minimum, which I highly doubt he would accept, and in a back-up role. Watching him all year, it was pretty obvious that his play is regressing and I can only imagine that will continue next year.

 

[hornetfb85]

Seems people want change just to change. McCourty can still play, not sure why we would want him gone. Draft a replacement and let him learn if you want. We want to win and he can help us do just that.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Who could be a candidate for replacement via FA?

 

[‘Mondre]

Who could be a candidate for replacement via FA?

Mathieu, Marcus Williams, Rodney McLeod, Marcus Maye, Anthony Harris, Lamarcus Joyner, Tashaun Gipson, Terrence Brooks, Ricardo Allen, Nate Ebner, Jaquiski Tartt, Tavarius Moore, Curtis Riley…

 

[pats_premi]

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I love the guy. "I haven't had a dropoff in athletic ability" is a weird thing to say. People usually say, "I can still compete at a high level". Who at 35 has not had a drop off in athletic ability?

But I still think we are better with him for 1 more year while we train a replacement. And @Ross12 is right about the acceleration of the cap hit.

 

[Kdo5]

McCourty spent his entire career here; he was a defensive anchor to several championship teams. To boot, I’m not sure I’ve seen a more durable player in franchise history. In all his years, how many games has he missed? Very few I imagine. I think there is a physical drop off at this point which is sad but I will mourn his retirement. ****ing great Patriot.

 

[Pats2000]

please retire and solve the world's problems elsewhere, Mccourty. His sell by date expired after the Rams super bowl. Buh, Bye...

 

[Pape]

Keep him for a year, while transitioning a new player into the position... He played a ton on defense last year... maybe a little less field time helps him keep up, while allowing the defense to keep his reservoir of knowledge...

either way... Im cool with it if the team keeps him around, or if he wants to retire...

 

[italian pat patriot]

He's old and slow. Not an impact safety atall. He "hits" a rb and then he gets dragged downfield another 5 yards. But he's willing to play for 13mm a year. Disgusting. Get him out of there.

Belichick loves his vets though. Slower the better. This gold bricker better not be on the team next year.

Patriots should just buy a statue and put it out there. It would make about as many plays as mcourty.

I agree that i would moove on too wishing him all the best for what he gave but i find your post extremely rude

When i read "disgusting" i was astonished...

 

[Ross12]

I love the guy. "I haven't had a dropoff in athletic ability" is a weird thing to say. People usually say, "I can still compete at a high level". Who at 35 has not had a drop off in athletic ability?

But I still think we are better with him for 1 more year while we train a replacement. And @Ross12 is right about the acceleration of the cap hit.

"It all really comes down to mentally and being ready, and being able to tap back in and go through a full season. I think those are the things you have to think about, but I’m definitely going to take my time and see what happens for the future.” The Pats have to sign him by the first day of the new league year or his deal voids and his cap hits accelerate. So I think this is a little bit of negotiation. He wants to be non-committal to try to get them to sweat a little more and pony up a bit more money for his restructured deal come late February/early March. If he overplays his hand though and the first day of the league year passes without a deal, his cap hits accelerate and he's essentially lost his leverage (as far as I understand it) and any new deal will be an additional cost on top of his existing accelerated dead money.

Based on this, I'd estimate that we hear another quote or two similar to this one from his camp between now and March, and then around the start of March he will agree to a restructured deal that keeps him in NE at least 1 more year. If that does not happen, I anticipate he will be gone and will either retire or sign for 1 year with a team coached by someone familiar (wherever Flores lands might make sense).

 

[chasa]

Analysis from Matthew Fairburn at the Athletic:
He may be in the final stretch of his career, but McCourty was still an asset to the Patriots’ defense this season. He’s the one making on-field adjustments and directing traffic for the entire defense. But beyond his leadership, McCourty is still talented. He missed only seven tackles in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus and wasn’t a liability in coverage. If he’s up for playing another season, the Patriots should find the money to keep him.

So he's the one i should be blaming for Zero punts against the bills?

 

[Triumph]

SAFETY

Arent those guys the last line of defense? Especially in run support?

The Pats 2021 run defense was bottom tier and if your defense cant stop the run then youre up 5hits creek. The mark of a great defense is a stingy run defense forcing the other team to become 1 dimensional. A better run defense would have forced other teams to test the Pats strength which is the pass defense.

 

[Triumph]

The GOAT Pats Safety in the Belichick era will always be Rodney Harrison.

Who BTW belongs in the Hall.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

First off McCourty is NOT A FA, he is under contract because of the last three years of his deal was voided on March 17, 2021. So he can't just sign with another team. The Pats must make some sort of move first.

He counts $6,450,000 against the Pats 2022 cap. He still has three years worth of signing bonuses that count $2,150,000 against the Pats cap for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

So the Pats must do one of the following things:

Straight out cutting him now would cost the Pats his entire cap hit of $6,450,000 in dead money and zero cap relief. This move would remove his contract and any cap hits from the Pats 2023 and 2024 cap.

Cut him with a June 1 designation (which I believe will happen) That will lower his 2022 cap number to $2,150,000, and make his 2023 cap hit $4,300,000, with no cap ramifications for 2024.

They could redo his contract, and pay him to play either one, two, or three years. This could put him back on the roster and lower his cap hits, but he would have to be open to playing for the league minimum, with no signing or workout bonus money.

 

[Zuma]

I think his replacement is already on the roster in Mills or Jones. Wade has the potential to be a very good slot CB. Jones has the speed to play FS.

 

[kennyb]

I agree that i would moove on too wishing him all the best for what he gave but i find your post extremely rude

When i read "disgusting" i was astonished...

I say disgusting because he's trying to grift the team out of another 10m or so when his skills are dininished. They should pay him out of nostalgia. He "knows the system" even though he's near useless in it. Makes no impact plays, tackles running backs so pathetically they drag him for another 5 yards every time.

Good in the past? Sure. And he was paid a king's ransom. Now he's just a goldbricker. Time for new blood.

Let me guess, sign hightower to an extension at 12m per too right?

At some point you need to rebuild.

 

[italian pat patriot]

Let me guess, sign hightower to an extension at 12m per too right?

At some point you need to rebuild.

1 no
2 yes

 

[Pape]

there were a few links where in the news section of the site that said McCourty was not going to make a decision to play/retire for a while now...

not 100% sure i am on board with this... kinda would like to know prior to free agency starting to see if Free Safety should be a position that is addressed... there are a few good players that will be (potentially) available in free agency, but they will be gone by the end of day 1, 2 at the latest...

 

[PatsFan2]

I hope he stays retired he can't guard TE's anymore and is more late than not on double Teams retire please like your Brother Devin.