Report: Veteran CB Jason McCourty plans to play in 2021

Veteran cornerback Jason McCourty plans to continue playing in 2021 and will hit unrestricted free agency, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. 

The 33-year-old and twin his brother, Devin, have both contemplated retirement in the past. Jason McCourty appeared in all 16 games for New England last season and didn't show signs of slowing down. The Rutgers product finished the year with 42 tackles and three passes defended. 

McCourty is viewed as one of New England's leaders, and re-signing him would be ideal. Here is what Reiss specifically says about his future:

Veteran defensive back Jason McCourty is among a handful of Patriots who have been working out at Gillette Stadium in recent weeks. McCourty, 33, has spent the past three seasons in New England and was asked late in the 2020 season if he was thinking about retirement. That isn't part of the plan. I'm told McCourty, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, is planning to play in 2021.

The Patriots have many decisions to make this offseason, but having the fourth-most cap space in the NFL should allow them to retain McCourty at a reasonable price. 

McCourty signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Patriots before the 2019 campaign. It's unclear if he'll sign a similar deal this time around.