The First Good Patriots News of 2021: Devin McCourty Will Be Back

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We're about a week away from the end of a calendar year where Bad News was the heavy favorite over Good News and has not only covered the spread but is still running up the score, leaving its starters on the field and chucking long touchdown passes. And since this is the first unsalvageable season since 2000, any truly positive developments are going to have to be about next year, not this, in order to really matter. And make no mistake, this is one. 

Bear in mind that it was as recently as February of 2019 that Devin McCourty was leaving retirement's exit door open:

So hearing him already commit to coming back to right this ship is welcome news, indeed.

It's easy to hear a veteran is returning and say "Who cares?" because he's been part of a defense that just gave up 436 yards on the ground over the last two weeks. And I'd get where you're coming from. It's tempting to want to do a controlled demolition of this team, raze the building to the foundation and start over. But that's just letting your frustration do the thinking for you. The fact is that this unit is better off with McCourty - both McCourtys, I assume, since they seem to come as a Buy One, Get One offer these days - being an essential part of the rebuild. 

I've mentioned this before but just to repeat: A while ago I was asked who has been the second best player of the Dynasty Era. My reflexive reaction was to go with Gronk or Richard Seymour or even Adam Vinatieri for that matter. They're all Hall of Famers, after all. But no. I went with Devin McCourty. He's been the total package that no other Patriot has been. In terms of longevity. Durability. Production. Leadership. Winning. He's been in New England for 11 seasons and through 23 postseason games and missed a grand total of five career games. None since 2015. While playing a position that is notorious for injuries and short careers (see Eric Berry and Bob Sanders) due to the fact you're forced to take on monsters twice your size and cover an acre of land on every down. 

But I don't want McCourty back as a Lifetime Achievement Award. I want him back because the 2021 team needs him if it's going to make a return to January football. You might consider this a down year for him, he's still got two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and six passes defensed. And among safeties with 800+ snaps, Pro Football Focus still grades him as the 21st at his position overall. And while his passer rating against of 94.4 isn't great, there are 57 safeties in the league who are worse. 

Yes, this team needs to get younger. That much is clear. And if the rumors are right, it's going to lose Dont'a Hightower and Pat Chung to retirement. Which is why, as it's forced to incorporate younger guys, we should all be grateful to have a veteran member of the Three Ring Club on the back end telling them what to do for at least one more year.