Like clockwork, the Patriots have put the wheels in motion in free agency- starting with the resigning of Jason McCourty to a two year deal.
I love this move. When McCourty was playing with the burger flippers in the 4th preseason game last year everyone assumed he was going to get cut. Fast forward 6 months and he made the biggest play in the Super Bowl after becoming a starter opposite Stephon Gilmore for the majority of the season.
This move ensures stability in the back end while the front 7 is being pieced back together. McCourty quietly had a great season last year, grading out as a top-20 cornerback in the NFL. This move allows the secondary to continue to grow this year with nobody having to play our of position or new guys stepping in and figuring things out the first month.
The move wasn’t really surprising considering his brother did not retire and he got a taste for winning. Why leave the ideal situation in the latter half of your career? The numbers haven’t been released but I’m guessing it’s something like 2 years, 9 million with 6.5 guaranteed.
While Gilmore and JMac will occupy outside of the number, JC Jackson and Jon Jones (if he doesn’t get an offer sheet) will continue to be their slot options/ outside matchup options. You let the promising rookie Jackson continue to learn and develop and eventually be a strong outside corner.
Get ready for more moves out of New England, as they love to bargain shop after teams blow their loads on massive deals in early free agency. I still have a gut feeling we are going to get a “whoa” move out of them, though at this point I am not exactly sure what that could be outside of a trade for Julio Jones which, let’s be honest, isn’t going to happen.
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