Devin McCourty Admits He Considered Leaving Patriots Before Signing New Contract

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty admitted he considered joining a different team in an open letter titled "A New New England" on the Players' Tribune on Tuesday.

"I honestly thought it was time for me to leave New England," the 32-year-old wrote to start.

He continued: "Going into free agency, I was thinking that at this stage in my career, I was ready for a change. I mean, I love New England. But after 10 years and winning three Super Bowls, something inside was telling me that I was ready for a new challenge. And I thought I might have to go elsewhere to find it."

McCourty re-signed with the Pats on a two-year, $23 million contract earlier this month after his twin brother, Jason McCourty, had his option exercised by New England.

McCourty said "it's kind of ironic" that he won't have to leave New England to find the new challenge he was craving since future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady has departed in free agency for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCourty described how he learned Brady was parting ways with the only franchise he's ever played for:

"I mean, I found out about Tom leaving the same way y'all did. On Twitter. But I kind of knew when we got closer to free agency and he didn't have a deal done that he wasn't coming back. It's still a little surreal because … it's TOM, you know? He's been here 20 years. He's won six rings. He's the greatest to ever do it. So it definitely won't be the same now that he's gone.

"But honestly, I'm happy for him. He's earned the right to finish his career wherever he wants and chase whatever he feels like he needs to chase.

"I'm just glad he's doing it in the NFC."

McCourty will look to improve upon New England's stellar 2019 defensive output. He contributed five interceptions—two shy of his career-high seven picks from his rookie campaign—seven passes defended, two forced fumbles and 58 tackles (46 solo).

The Patriots had the top-ranked unit in total defense, the second-ranked passing defense and the sixth-best rushing defense in the regular season, but the sixth-seeded Tennessee Titans upset them in the Wild Card Round 20-13. It marked the first time since 2010 that the franchise hadn't made it beyond the AFC Divisional Round.

As for who will replace Brady at quarterback, the Patriots reportedly signed 34-year-old Brian Hoyer to a one-year deal over the weekend for a third stint in New England. The expectation is for Hoyer to compete for the starting job:

Hoyer joins 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and journeyman Cody Kessler in the Pats' quarterback room. McCourty endorsed Stidham on his Double Coverage podcast Sunday (h/t ESPN's Mike Reiss):

"To me, there were weeks where he was just on-point. And those were some of our best weeks as a defense, mainly because Stiddy ate us up in practice leading up to the game, and I think put more pressure on us. So I really admire just how hard he works, and then I've got to know him off the field as well. He's a really good guy. Young guy, but very mature. He's married. I think the Stidhams are going to be in New England for a long time."

Either way, the defense will have to be just as good if not better than last year to keep New England in contention without Brady.