Patriots Intend to Pick up Option on Jason McCourty

The New England Patriots are expected to have a mass exodus of their talent to free agency this offseason, but you can officially cross one name off the list.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots intend to pick up the option on cornerback Jason McCourty's contract, which would incur a cap hit of $4 million for the 2020 season.

The #Patriots intend to pick up the contract option for veteran CB Jason McCourty, sources say. That would put him at nearly $4M for 2020. In February, @McCourtyTwins Jason version said on RapSheet + Friends, "I definitely plan on playing next year." https://t.co/0iWxG3RATf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2020

The Patriots made the investment back in the 2018 offseason to bring on McCourty, where he joined twin brother and safety Devin, via a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Since then, Jason was part of one of the more dominant cornerback depth charts in the NFL. His defining moment in New England was his pass breakup of a sure-fire touchdown reception from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks in Super Bowl LIII.

This past season, McCourty recorded 40 tackles, six passes defensed, and one interception in 12 games.

Well, one thing is for certain, #Patriots cornerback group will still be stacked in 2020. Gilmore, JC Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Joejuan Williams. A lot of experience and talent in that group. https://t.co/GxqD4869N8
— Jimmy Talks Ball (@JimmyTalksBall) March 4, 2020

New England's strength in 2019 was their stout secondary, led by Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, so it only made sense to bring back McCourty. It will remain to be seen if the Patriots can retain Devin, who is expected to command plenty of suitors in free agency.