The New England Patriots retained a significant portion of their defense this offseason, but there is one notable exception. Long-time team captain and defensive signal caller Devin McCourty announced his retirement after 13 seasons with the team.
A starting member of the Patriots secondary since his arrival as a 2010 first-round draft pick, McCourty’s departure creates a sizable hole on the field. The void he is leaving behind is no smaller off it as well, though, and filling it will be a challenge for the current and future generation of locker room leaders.
Among those is linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.