The New England Patriots took care of one of their biggest offseason priorities late Sunday night when they signed safety Devin McCourty to a five-year, $47.5 million deal. Shortly before McCourty agreed to those terms, his future with the team was very much in doubt.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that the Patriots were so close to losing McCourty that the 27-year-old called Bill Belichick on the phone to thank him for a great five years in New England. With the Eagles, Giants, Jaguars and Titans all making strong pushes for McCourty, it appeared the Patriots were not willing to get into a bidding war.
However, Belichick and company decided to up their offer at the last second. While it was reportedly not the highest offer McCourty received, he is guaranteed $28.5 million — a record amount of guaranteed cash for a safety.
McCourty’s $9.5 million average annual salary makes him the second-highest paid safety in the NFL. He obviously wanted to stay with New England enough that he turned down one or more higher offers, but the Patriots certainly showed McCourty the level of respect he deserves.
McCourty is considered the quarterback of a secondary that sealed a Super Bowl win with one of the greatest plays you will ever see. Losing him would have been a major blow for the Patriots, which is why they were willing to up their offer at the last minute.
