FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – Longtime New England Patriots captain Devin McCourty said on Friday that it was “incredible” and “a little bittersweet” to see former teammates Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski playing in the Super Bowl LV .
“Watching those 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 is now having the opportunity to win a world championship, was amazing to watch,” McCourty said at Get Up on ESPN Friday. “And obviously a little bittersweet because you prefer those two guys to match you on Sundays.
“But it’s still amazing to see those guys go and do it again. Obviously, for Tom and his legacy and what he did in this league, he doesn’t need to do anything else. But continue to watch him and his greatness, and continue to getting better and better every year, it’s just unbelievable. “
Brady won six Super Bowl championships in New England, while Gronkowski – who was part of the team draft in 2010 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 departure was a factor between players and coaches.
“I think as a team and organization we moved on. But you lost Tom Brady. You lost the best NFL defender. You don’t just replace that. You don’t just make up for it. We definitely feel it. We miss Tom, we don’t have a period off season to even start trying to process it, get ready and get ready. The guy has been the best defender in the NFL for the past two decades, “said McCourty.
McCourty’s comments echoed others from the Patriots last week when veteran defensive striker Lawrence Guy told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he is rooting for Brady. Owner Robert Kraft said something similar to CBS in an interview that will air on Sunday before the Super Bowl between the Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs.
“We were privileged to have him here for two decades, and he is one of the best human beings I have ever met. He knows how to lead and I wish him the best,” Kraft said in an interview with CBS.