Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that there is still nothing happening between the Patriots and impending free agent S Devin McCourty regarding a contract extension.
Howe mentions that the Patriots are expected to use the franchise tag to gain some “major leverage” in contract talks.
Reports dating back to the start of the regular season have said that the two sides weren’t particularly close to an agreement, so this appears to be a situation the Patriots intend to wait and address at a later time.
McCourty is an obvious extension candidate as he has played at a high level for the Patriots, despite seeing time at both cornerback and safety in the past few years.
Seahawks S Earl Thomas set the bar for the safety position before the start of the season when signed a four-years, $40 million and $27.725 million guaranteed.
The franchise tag for the safety position is somewhat team friendly, and could be one of the reasons that talks haven’t picked up in recent months.
McCourty, 27, is in the final year of his five-year, $10 million contract that includes $7.825 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $3.92 million for the 2014 season.
This season, McCourty appeared in 13 games for the Patriots and totaled 51 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus has McCourty ranked as the No. 4 safety in the league this season.
We have him currently listed as the No. 7 player in our Top 25 – 2015 Free Agents list.
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It may take until the offseason, but I think they’ll get McCourty back. Dev had a comment last year around playoff time, but he had mentioned something about how lucky he was to be on a team that’s been in the playoffs every year of his career, while his brother Jason still hasn’t been to the playoffs once down in Tenn. I think Dev likes it in NE, and I think he understands it’s one of the best situations he can be in. Fingers crossed
PAY THE MAN!!!! McCourty is one of the franchise faces!!