Devin McCourty
FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick calls to his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Belichick will turn to the draft to bolster a roster that still needs a youth injection at linebacker, offensive line, receiver and cornerback. (AP Photo/Paul Connors, File)
Frugal Patriots look to use draft to get faster at LB, WR

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 12:07 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots running back James White steps on the field at the start of an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. It's been slow going since hip surgery that cut his 2021 season short, but the Patriots running back is slowly regaining his pep after signing a new two-year deal to remain in New England. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
New deal has given Patriots' White boost after hip surgery

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 21, 2022 05:54 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots offensive lineman Ted Karras blocks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. Karras has agreed to a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Patriots add DB Mitchell, but still have areas to address

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 16, 2022 07:58 PM EDT

FILE - Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract that will give Trubisky a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job following Roethlisberger's retirement in January. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official. Financial details were not disclosed. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
NFL free agency: Let the dealing begin, mostly unofficial

By Barry Wilner Mar. 14, 2022 04:47 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty is shown after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots have opened the unofficial start of free agency by bringing back veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and safety Devin McCourty. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
NE opens free agency re-signing vets McCourty, Hoyer, Slater

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 14, 2022 12:53 PM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores talks with Miami Dolphins center Michael Deiter (63) ahead of the start of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Fired Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and three of its teams Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 saying racist hiring practices by the league have left it racially segregated and managed like a plantation. (AP Photo/Willfredo Lee, File)
Fired Miami Dolphins coach sues NFL, alleging racist hiring

By Larry Neumeister Feb. 01, 2022 04:11 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) runs the ball under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Patriots, Jones end season with a dud in 47-17 loss to Bills

By Jonah Bronstein Jan. 16, 2022 02:07 AM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) heads to the locker room after a 33-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Patriots' path to division title shrinks after loss to Bills

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 26, 2021 07:08 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones yells while running onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Allen's 3 TDs, McKenzie's big day push Bills past Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 26, 2021 04:35 PM EST

New England Patriots fan Vincent Farricielli, of Guilford, Conn., pumps iron while tailgating prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 11:57 AM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Dec.15, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots can regain AFC East throne in rematch vs. Bills

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 23, 2021 06:51 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) pushes away New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Sloppy Patriots loss makes Belichick (even more) grouchy

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 20, 2021 05:04 PM EST

FILE - New England Patriots inside linebacker coach Jerod Mayo is shown on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots are one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, winning six Super Bowls. But they, like many NFL teams, have a less than impressive record when it comes to hiring minority assistant coaches. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
Belichick adds minorities to staff after years of lagging

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 10, 2021 10:34 AM EST

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes over New England Patriots nose tackle Davon Godchaux (92) who is blocked by Bills' Ike Boettger (65) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills 12/6/2021

Dec. 06, 2021 08:43 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones yells as he runs down the sidelines prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Patriots expecting to have hands full against creative Bills

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 01, 2021 07:26 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
AFC has record 12 teams at .500 or better through Week 12

By Josh Dubow Dec. 01, 2021 02:40 AM EST

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, left, out runs Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) on his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Titans lose 36-13 to Patriots, fumble away AFC's No. 1 seed

By Jimmy Golen Nov. 28, 2021 05:35 PM EST

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, right, celebrates with quarterback Mac Jones, left, after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Jones throws 2 TD passes, Patriots roll past Titans 36-13

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 28, 2021 04:28 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill throws a pass while warming up prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots 11/28/2021

Nov. 28, 2021 12:37 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Banged-up Titans look to keep streak alive against Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Nov. 26, 2021 12:51 PM EST