Patriots 2021 defensive backfield playbook: Who stays, who goes

New England Patriots Cornerback Jason McCourty

Jason McCourty, like twin brother Devin, is entering his age 34 season. While he should always be remembered for a very likely game-winning play in the Super Bowl against the LA Rams, McCourty is an unrestricted free agent and has to be considered a long-shot to remain with the team.

While he had a respectable 42 tackles last season, he logged zero interceptions. In addition, his cap hit last season was a healthy $5.55 million.

That significant amount can certainly be used to shore up positions on the team that are in dire need of an infusion of both youth and more urgently, talent. McCourty can be replaced as a depth cornerback by Jonathon Jones. 

A player such as third-year pro, JoeJuan Williams, a second-round draft pick, should be in line for this spot, but he’s not (more on that later). Yet, McCourty is still expendable and the $5.5 million can certainly be applied elsewhere to enhance positions such as anywhere on offense and the defensive line and linebacker crews.

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While it will be unfortunate to see McCourty leave, there is always an opportunity that he could agree to stay to play alongside his twin brother. That would take a major reduction in salary for it to be in any way feasible for New England however, but who knows?

Interestingly, with New England’s decidedly poor personnel management operation, one of the few areas in which they have excelled is in identifying undrafted free agents who actually can play and even be productive.

The names Malcolm Butler and Jones readily come to mind. They will likely be able to identify a candidate or two this offseason or one from a previous season who can fill in for McCourty.

Jason McCourty goes in free agency (unless he signs for a substantially lower salary).