In a recent interview with Pro Football Network ex-New England Patriots safety and long-time captain Devin McCourty opened up on his decision to call it quits on his 12-year career.
While the former first-round draft was past his prime at the age of 35, McCourty said that the Patriots' status, in terms of not being in the hunt for a Super Bowl, also played a big factor.
“I think, especially as you get older, you start to only play to win a Super Bowl,” McCourty said. “And I was like, ‘If I go back, I don’t think we’ll go win a Super Bowl. So as I started to sit there and be like, ‘Alright, what did I really set myself up for? We were 8-9 last year. Am I gonna go to another team? Is it worth it for six months?'”
It definitely isn't the answer that Patriot fans want to hear, especially after moves this offseason by the team to put themselves in a better position to make it back to the Super Bowl. Still, it is the hard reality from McCourty's perspective. Yet, the Patriots are still trying to make moves with just a few weeks left until the start of training camp as they pursue free-agent receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.
The signing of the 31-year-old would give the Patriots a true No. 1 option at receiver, something their offense has been crying out for beyond last season. But would Hopkins push the Patriots over the line into being Super Bowl contenders?
For those looking for parallels with last season's Super Bowl runner-up, the Philadelphia Eagles, their trade for A.J. Brown an offseason ago helped get them to a doorstep of a Lombardi Trophy. Yet, as we've seen in recent years, making it to the Super Bowl takes more than just a No. 1 receiver; teams also need elite quarterback play.
Since the departure of legendary quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots haven't had that level of play under center, as evidenced by their two playoff-less seasons in the three years since he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After a regression across the board in 2022 offensively, including quarterback Mac Jones; New England is hoping the hiring of offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien can get the former Alabama product back to his best.
The signing of Hopkins would go a long way in helping the Patriots at least be on par with the rest of their division in terms of weapons. Although, any Super Bowl run will be squarely on the shoulders of Jones.
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