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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Devin McCourty shares his thoughts on Mac Jones and the future of the Patriots on NFL Network

By Alex Barth

While Patriots safety Devin McCourty mulls retirement, he’s staying busy. On Monday morning, he joined NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, a show co-hosted by his twin brother and former Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty.

McCourty discussed a number of topics, but of course his status for 2023 was at the forefront. McCourty, 35, is a pending free agent and is deciding whether or not to return for what would be his 14th NFL season.

“I’m still figuring it out,” McCourty said. “I’ve gone back and forth. It’s very hard to make this decision. I actually thought it would be easy during the year. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll decide that — take a little time and I’ll just decide.’ But each time I think I know what I want to do, it gets a little cloudy.”

  • One thing McCourty did make clear is that if he does return it will be to the Patriots – the only team he’s played for his entire NFL career. Testing the free agency market doesn’t seem to be a consideration for him.

    “If I did go back, it would be with him in that locker room,” he explained. “It’s hard to envision playing football without each other in the locker room. But, ultimately I have to make the decision what’s best for me and my family.”

    McCourty also spoke at length about the Patriots. Although he plays on the defensive side of the ball, he spent a good amount of time talking about the offense and sharing his thoughts on quarterback Mac Jones. McCourty started off talking about how the company NOBULL, which is the presenting sponsor of this year’s NFL Combine, was one of the first to work with Jones after he was drafted.

  • “They know the future is Mac Jones,” McCourty began, before getting into his own thoughts.. “I’m excited for this guy this year because now you get Billy O’Brien coming in as an offensive coordinator. Great success – has done well everywhere he’s been offensively. He gets to come in and now work with Mac. He’s going to have stability around him. I think the team is going to go get another guy to be a receiver in that offense.”

    McCourty also spoke about the challenges Jones faced last year, and how he thinks some of those issues have already been remedied.

    “I’m excited because last year you come in, you have movement. You get to work with Josh McDaniels – who I think is one of the best offensive minds in this league – you get to work with him your rookie year, and then you get Matty P [Matt Patricia] with a mixture of Joe Judge, with coach [Bill] Belichick, all guys who are new to calling actual offense. Obviously Bill is more experience than any coach in the NFL as a head coach really, but it’s just so much movement. So much change. It’s only your second year.”

    “I think it speaks volumes that he’s a captain in that locker room in only his second year, and really kind of was a captain the year before as a rookie leading those guys,” McCourty concluded. “So I’m excited for Mac. I think sky’s the limit. I think he’s the future of New England. Any doubts, I think you’re wrong if you don’t think that. I think he’s the future and he’s in that building right now, doing different things, working with guys, talking to guys. That’s what he wants, he wants to be that quarterback…I think Mac has all the intangibles and the things you want in a quarterback, he’s only in his second year, going into his third year. Third offensive coordinator. Hopefully Billy O is there for a while, and I think you’ll see the true growth.”

    McCourty seemed to know what he was saying would catch peoples’ attention too. Prior to his appearance, he Tweeted, “Let’s see how many headlines I can make in one week on @gmfb,” with laughing emojis. Well, he can now add this one to the list.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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