Devin McCourty

Defensive back Devin McCourty announced his retirement Friday after 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. The two-time Pro Bowler, 35, was part of three ...

I am excited to see him bring those same traits to his next chapter and brighten the lives of even more people." "Devin did all of those things as a player and more. "It is a rare group of players who win games at a historic rate, exude team culture, lead, win awards and win championships.

A three-time Super Bowl champion who served as a New England Patriots captain since his second season, Devin McCourty announced his retirement from the NFL ...

But, what I think of first when I think of Devin is the type of man he is, his character, his values and how high he raised the bar for spreading goodness and justice in the community. “I get to just say I’ll never be better again next year and just enjoy it, man. “Now, I get a chance to reminisce and not have to focus on how can I be better for next year,” McCourty said. “Unbelievable ride, man, and I think it’s always tough to kind of come to the end, as you know,” added McCourty. He was first elected a captain in Foxborough in 2011 and continued to hold that title through 2022. 27 overall pick out of Rutgers stayed in to total 12,506 defensive snaps over that span, marking the most in the league since his entrance.

"I am officially retiring from the NFL," McCourty told his twin brother and former Patriots teammate Jason in an exclusive interview. "It's always tough to kind ...

But, what I think of first when I think of Devin is the type of man he is, his character, his values and how high he raised the bar for spreading goodness and justice in the community. He was a central piece to three of the organization's six Super Bowl titles and is a member of the Patriots' All-2010s Team and All-Dynasty Team. McCourty is a three-time second-team All-Pro selection and was named to the Pro Bowl twice in his career. He was initially brought aboard as a cornerback, but moved to safety after his first few years in the league and truly began to flourish as one of the NFL's best at the position. "Through his individual performance and overall leadership, Devin has been such an important part of the success we have enjoyed over the past 13 seasons, including each of our last three But ultimately I think this is the best decision for me, my family, for my career to be able to look back at my 13 years and just enjoy it."

Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who won three Super Bowls with New England, announced his retirement on Friday.

The 35-year-old two-time Pro Bowler might not have been as rangy as he was early in his career, but the veteran played a crucial role in Belichick's defense up to the end of his run. "Through his individual performance and overall leadership, Devin has been such an important part of the success we have enjoyed over the past 13 seasons, including each of our last three Super Bowl championships," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement on Friday. (Robert) Kraft, to talk to Bill (Belichick), a lot of the guys on the defensive staff.

McCourty played his entire 13-year career with New England and was a three-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler.

And [Jabrill Peppers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/jabrill-peppers-lfFXKyl6HfLQYsbm/) is set to become a free agent next week. [Kyle Dugger](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/kyle-dugger-yySTrzOsJf9h0dxy/) returns and is a star in-the-making. [Adrian Phillips](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/adrian-phillips-clIg3RAtUxp9Hvct/) is a valued member of the secondary but turns 31 next month. The Patriots won three Super Bowls and made the playoffs 11 times during his 13 seasons. And he was one of Bill Belichick’s favorite players, someone the coach often cited as a locker room leader. McCourty retires as one of the most successful Patriots in an era of ample success.

Devin McCourty was truly a one of one in New England, making him nearly impossible to replace both on and off the field.

Jessie Bates of the Bengals is the best of the bunch, having established a reputation as one of the most dependable deep-field defenders in football in recent years. Second-year talent Marcus Jones seems to have the tools — speed, intelligence, hands — to make an impact in the deep part of the field as well. "From a football player, from the things he's done in the community, just who he is as a mentor — for myself and other guys who've come in, guys he's left an impression on who may not have been on the team more than a week. And Slater, of course, will continue to be leaned on as the locker room's emotional beacon. Drafted in the first round in 2010, he had a Pro Bowl year as a rookie corner and then transitioned to safety in Year 2. But he also has the speed, ball skills and tackling ability that would make him a fit there, seemingly. Jonathan Jones would represent a logical fill-in at free safety if the Patriots wanted to go that route. I am excited to see him bring those same traits to his next chapter and brighten the lives of even more people." We couldn’t have asked for a better leader and ambassador, both on and off the field." Ultimately I think this is the best decision for me, my family, my career is to now look back at my 13 years and just enjoy it." McCourty has been the ultimate torch-bearer for Patriots culture during the second iteration of their dynasty. Probably not even sharing as much of the thoughts as I was going between from one day to the next day.

The 3-time Super Bowl champion broke the news via his twin brother, Jason.

After 3 Super Bowl rings and 13 seasons later, Devin McCourty is walking away as one of the Patriots' most decorated and respected players on and off the ...

I am excited to see him bring those same traits to his next chapter and brighten the lives of even more people." Devin did all of those things as a player and more." But ultimately, I think this is the best decision for me, my family, for my career." His 42 total takeaways also are second in franchise history. McCourty, 35, went into the offseason wavering about his future with the Patriots along with fellow longtime captain Matt Slater. He finishes with 35 career INTs, 938 tackles, three sacks, 110 pass breakups, 11 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

The Patriots legend is retiring from the NFL after 13 tremendous seasons in New England, leaving a giant void in the secondary.

It's easy to say replace a rangy center fielder with a new rangy center fielder, but if the draft isn't producing those types, all the Patriots can do is adapt to what's available. Still, he has the experience in a Belichick-like system, ball skills, and adequate range to develop into the role, while the Pats could continue spinning the dial on opposing quarterbacks by rotating Battle and Dugger into different assignments. With Belichick's affinity for playmaking safeties and a massive void left by McCourty, that's still in the realm of possibility with over $30 million in cap space. Although Belichick's defense still ranks near the top in single-high rate, the NFL is reacting to passing game tendencies and the college game in transitioning to more split-safety schemes. New England's defense will be hard-pressed to replace Devin McCourty, especially with a rookie just entering the NFL. As we mentioned earlier, the Patriots also have options in free agency to replace McCourty with a player who is a more natural fit at free safety. Illinois's Jartavius Martin joins the two Alabama safeties as our favorites in the first four rounds of the draft. Bates played 65% of his snaps at free safety in Cincinnati last season, playing on the franchise tag after a long-term deal couldn't be reached. But replacing McCourty's leadership, communication, football IQ, and ability to protect the deep part of the field will be challenging, and that could drive New England toward significant changes. There's absolutely zero doubt in anyone's mind that McCourty will wear a red jacket soon as a Patriot Hall of Famer, but due to his consistency and resume, he deserves consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well. I am excited to see him bring those same traits to his next chapter and brighten the lives of even more people," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of McCourty. Belichick is notorious for stockpiling versatile safeties, and you can bet he'll invest heavily in filling the void left behind by McCourty.