FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Safety Devin McCourty says he’s returning to the New England Patriots for five more years.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis could be gone.
McCourty said that he’s happy to stay with the Super Bowl champions, telling Patriots fans on Twitter on Monday: "Let’s go win another Super Bowl…or 5."
In a telephone call to Comcast SportsNet New England on Sunday night, McCourty said he wanted to come back to the team that picked him in the first round of the 2010 draft. A handful of other teams showed interest, including Tennessee, where his twin brother Jason plays.
"I knew in my heart that I wanted to be back in New England, but I also knew the business side of football," the 27-year-old free agent told the station. "I had to do what I had to do. I’m back, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t possibilities over the last few days that I was going to be somewhere else. But, happy it all worked out."
Also Monday, ESPN reported that the Patriots have decided not to pick up Revis’ $20 million option, instead allowing him to become a free agent. A Patriots spokesman said he didn’t anticipate any comment from the team on Monday.
McCourty’s agent, Andy Simms, confirmed that his deal would pay $47.5 million over five years, with $28.5 million guaranteed.
"Being in New England for five years, there’s no kind of mystery or question. I know we can win here," McCourty said in the TV interview. "We’ve already done it. That’s where (the Patriots) came in first in that category. And, financially, they stepped up and hit all the numbers that I wanted."
Jason McCourty said on the Twitter account the brothers share: "Congrats to Dmac! Even though he turned down my offer to Nashville I guess we can still be bros just let me get some of that money."
Devin McCourty had 67 total tackles last season and added nine more in the post-season as the Patriots won their fourth Super Bowl since 2001.
NFL free agency officially begins on Tuesday.
