Devin McCourty Explains Why He Re-Signed With Pats, When He’ll Leave

Devin McCourty decided to stay with the New England Patriots for the upcoming season. Although he would have received a lot of offers from other teams, Devin wanted to play under head coach Bill Belichick. He didn’t even test the free market. Devin signed a two-year contract with the Patriots right before the beginning of free agency.

What made him do this? The Patriots could offer something other NFL teams couldn’t. Devin had the chance to play with his twin brother Jason.

New England officially picked Jason’s team option on March 12. They kept him for a third consecutive season. Devin signed his contract three days later.

Devin McCourty liked New England

He talked about his decision to stay in New England during the “Double Coverage” podcast.

“I think just the opportunity to play here and how awesome it’s been,” he said. “I just was talking about this the other day, but you kind of learn early in your football career that you can’t think that you’ll just stay on one team. It never really usually happens. But I think in this situation, it was just so unique because the Patriots, for one, turned into a family over 10 years, and then my family actually became a part of the team and playing here with you (Jason). The first time you were a free agent last year, Mommy said, ‘Well, I just hope you guys stick together and play again together.’ And then this year, she tells me the same thing. So, that was a huge part of it.

“I’m not really big into legacy and all of that other stuff, but I think the opportunity to play football with my twin brother, the opportunity for my kids being able to play with their cousins and be together all year — or half the year during the season — is just so much fun. The last two years have been the best two years of my career, so that was my priority — to see if I can continue that. And I was just happy we were able to work out a deal.

“And then, I would say, lastly, just the community. The whole New England area’s been home for me. I’ve been in so many different cities throughout New England, all the way up to Vermont down to different parts of Connecticut. I’ve loved every minute of that and I wanted to keep that going, just because I feel like that is my role in New England — to have a huge impact. And I really don’t want to leave until I feel like there’s a guy who’s at least two or three years under 30 that can take charge of that and really hold onto that for the next 10 years. So, that’s my ultimate goal.”