First Matthew Slater, Now Devin McCourty: Patriots Veteran Playing in 2023?

Veteran captain Devin McCourty is still mulling the possibility of returning to the New England Patriots for a 14th season.

FOXBORO — Prior to the start of the 2021 season, New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty was named a team captain for the 12th time in his career.

At age 35, having just concluded his 13th NFL season, it is fair to wonder whether McCourty’s time on a professional football field has come to an end.

Just days after his friend and longtime teammate Matthew Slater decided in favor of returning for his 16th season, McCourty provided an update on his future on a professional football field. 

Still, it appears that we will be waiting a bit longer for the big bombshell. 

During an appearance on the Patriots Report with Christopher Price, McCourty offered his current sentiments regarding a potential 14th season with the Patriots. 

“I’ve gone back and forth … I look forward to next year and I see me doing different things,” said McCourty, who is set to be a free agent. “I also see me playing. I think that’s the really hard thing about trying to decide what’s best for you and your family.

“But, early March, second week in March, we’ll start to — I think for me and my wife - decide and plan what the next year looks like,” McCourty continued. “I think that’s t the time where free agency will be coming up, so it’ll be the right time to really start digging in and make a decision.”

The Patriots 2022 season came to a close on Jan. 8 with their 35-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. New England finished the year with an 8-9 record and outside of the AFC playoff picture for the second time in three years. For McCourty, it was an atypical way to wind up a season. After all, the veteran defensive back has punched his ticket to the playoffs with the Patriots in 11 of his 13 NFL campaigns.

However, as he walked from the field in Western New York, McCourty almost certainly wondered whether he was doing so the final time in a Patriots uniform.

“I think just figuring out what makes me happy, what God has planned with my life going forward,” McCourty told reporters at the time. “Obviously, I still enjoy playing the game of football, but you can’t do it forever.”

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, McCourty has been a stalwart in the Pats defense. Following his conversion from cornerback to safety, the Rutgers product has been one of the Pats most prolific on-field defenders, as well as one of its most respected leaders in the locker room.

Throughout his career, McCourty has appeared in a combined 229 regular season and playoff games as a member of the Patriots. He has become a three-time Super Bowl champion, as well as being voted to two Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and the Patriots’ Team of the 2010s.

Despite continuing to play the game he loves at a high-level, retirement rumors have swirled around McCourty for the past few years. Usually, he was eager to indicate his intention to return. Yet, McCourty’s tone has recently taken a more reflective tone, leading many to believe that he is seriously considering calling it a career.

“I took a moment,” McCourty told reporters following New England’s final home game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 1. “Spent some time with my family on the field. It's been a great run. To come out here, if this was the last one, I think to be able to leave Gillette with a win, very similar to how my first-ever game was a win. I've had a lot of fun.”

Additionally, McCourty’s twin brother Jason announced his retirement in July, ending a 13-year career that also included a three-year stint alongside Devin in New England. Incidentally, the pair became the first set of twins to win a Super Bowl together. Since hanging up his cleats, Jason has become a co-host on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.

Some have speculated that a similar future in broadcasting may be waiting for McCourty on the other side of his playing days. During the Pats Week 10 bye in November, McCourty joined the CBS broadcast. While his appearance was limited, his valuable insight and analysis, as well as his charisma may make him an attractive candidate to fill an analyst role when his playing days come to an end. In fact, McCourty is set to join his brother Jason as a guest co-host for Good Morning Football in early March. 

No matter which way he is leaning at the moment, McCourty fully intends to take the necessary time to consider his future. Of course, he will be doing so with the help of the most important people in his life.

“My wife, my kids, just deciding on what’s best overall for not just me but the whole family union,” McCourty said with a smirk. “Just figuring out what it’s going to be. I wish I could give you a better answer right now, but I don’t know. I’m going to enjoy this plane ride back with the guys and just cherish each moment, not knowing what’s ahead.”

If McCourty’s time in New England has, indeed, come full circle, the future Patriots Hall of Famer will leave behind an indelible legacy, along with some big shoes to fill.

However, his most recent comments indicate that there may be a bit more wear left in his cleats, after all. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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