The New England Patriots’ defense has remained largely intact through the offseason, with one major exception. Long-time starting safety and multi-year team captain Devin McCourty announced his retirement in March.
McCourty has been a key part of their defensive fabric ever since joining the Patriots as a first-round draft pick in 2010. Over the next 13 seasons, he helped the organization win three Super Bowls and appeared in a combined 229 regular season and playoff games — missing only five games along the way and hardly ever leaving the field.
Replacing a player of this caliber will be a tall task, something the Patriots’ coaching staff is well aware of.