FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots safety and longtime captain Devin McCourty said Friday it’s “amazing” and “a little bittersweet” to see teammates Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski playing in the Super Bowl LV.
“Seeing these two guys leave our team and bring everything they’ve learned to Tampa, a team that didn’t make it to the playoffs last year and now has a chance to win a world championship, it’s been fantastic to see McCourty told ESPN’s Get Up on Friday. “And obviously a little bittersweet because you prefer these two guys to go with you on Sundays.
“But it’s still awesome to see those guys come out there and do it again. Obviously, for Tom and his legacy and what he’s done in this league, he doesn’t have to do more. But keep watching him and to their greatness and keep improving every year, it’s amazing. “
Brady won six Super Bowl championships in New England, while Gronkowski, who was part of the 2010 team draft class with McCourty, is a three-time Super Bowl champion.
The Patriots went 7-9 without Brady in 2020, losing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and McCourty was asked to what extent Brady’s exit was a factor between players and coaches.
“I think as a team, organization, we moved on. But you lost Tom Brady. You lost the best quarterback in the NFL. Don’t just replace that. Don’t just make up for that. We definitely felt like we lost Tom, we don’t have a low season or “We’re just starting to try, get ready, and get ready. The guy has been the best quarterback in the NFL in the last two decades,” McCourty said.
McCourty’s statements echoed others from the Patriots over the past week, as veteran defensive tackle Lawrence Guy told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he was rooting for Brady. Owner Robert Kraft said something similar to CBS in an interview that will air Sunday before the Super Bowl between the Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We had the privilege of having him here for two decades and he’s one of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever met. He knows how to direct and I wish him well,” Kraft said in a CBS interview.