As the New England Patriots go head-on into a new era without their long-time quarterback Tom Brady, Patriots defensive back, Devin McCourty has spoken out on Brady’s departure.
In a Players’ Tribune piece published on Tuesday, the longtime Patriot opened up about Brady’s departure and noted that he found out on social media like everyone else. McCourty did, however, have a gut feeling that this would ultimately be Brady’s fate once free agency was drawing closer.
“I kind of knew when we got closer to free agency and he didn’t have a deal done that he wasn’t coming back,” he wrote. “It’s still a little surreal because … it’s TOM, you know? He’s been here 20 years. He’s won six rings. He’s the greatest to ever do it. So it definitely won’t be the same now that he’s gone. But honestly, I’m happy for him. He’s earned the right to finish his career wherever he wants and chase whatever he feels like he needs to chase. I’m just glad he’s doing it in the NFC.”
McCourty’s decade-long tenure with the Patriots almost came to an end as well this offseason. In the same piece, the veteran safety revealed that he thought he would need to leave New England to find a new challenge in his NFL career. Instead, he was able to resign with New England for two more years at a total of $23 million. As for that new challenge, McCourty stated that he wants to help lead “this Patriots team into a new era and helping ensure that this next wave of players can continue our legacy and build on what we’ve already achieved as a franchise.”
One of the first orders of business for New England in their rebuild is finding Brady’s successor. When it comes to options currently on the roster, second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham is an intriguing option who has already received high praise from McCourty.
