Pats’ All-Pro Safety Devin McCourty Ending His Illustrious Career

New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty at the New England Patriots Training Camp in 2018
New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty at the New England Patriots Training Camp in 2018. Photo by Anthony Nesmith/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9773650n)

The New England Patriots will lack a major voice in the locker room in the 2023 NFL season. All-Pro safety Devin McCourty, who spent the entirety of his 13 years in league with the Pats, announced his retirement on Friday.

McCourty retires as one of the most successful players in Patriots’ history, having been there for the team’s three Super Bowl runs and receiving three All-Pro nods alongside a couple of Pro Bowl selections. He started 205 games for the franchise and retires with 971 career tackles, 35 interceptions, 110 passes defended, and two defensive touchdowns.

McCourty said that he considered his options this offseason,  none of which was to play for another team besides the Patriots, but ultimately decided it was time to call it quits. 

“Unbelievable ride man, and I think it’s always tough to kind of come to the end as you know,” said McCourty about his decision. “This whole offseason has been so much back-and-forth for me mentally — probably not even sharing as much of the thoughts that I was just going between from one day to the next day. But ultimately, I think this is the best decision for me, my family, for my career, is to be able to now look back at my 13 years and just enjoy it.”

McCourty is expected to make a transition to broadcasting, having already served as a guest analyst on various sports shows, including NFL Network’s Good Morning Football show. He will follow his twin brother Jason McCourty, who retired last season in order to focus on a television career.