Devin McCourty Still Helping Patriots In Retirement With Money Gift?
The New England Patriots lost long-time captain Devin McCourty after he announced his official retirement. But even after hanging up his helmet and pads, McCourty is still helping the franchise off-field.
As reported by the Boston Herald, the 35-year-old has yet to officially file his paperwork with the NFLPA, which is deliberate.
"McCourty and the Patriots agreed to tack one year onto his current contract for the veteran minimum $1.165 million, a way to create cap space for the team on the eve of free agency," the Herald wrote.
Instead of McCourty's contract expiring on Wednesday, the Patriots extended it another year on a veteran minimum deal, which in turn will give New England $5 million in more cap space.
In a sense, this move by the two parties is kicking the can down the road, as in 2024, the Patriots will have to eat $6.2 million in dead money as long as McCourty officially hands in his paperwork after June 1.
Despite a slow start to free agency, as the Patriots stayed relatively quiet throughout the legal tampering period. The first day of free agency saw New England make outside additions, signing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, running back James Robinson, and a pair of offensive tackles, Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff.
These deals and those yet to happen are in large part thanks to McCourty agreeing to help the Patriots free up more cap space to improve.
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