As More Patriots Opt Out, Team Captain Rips NFL

As more and more Patriots are choosing to opt out of the upcoming NFL season, a longtime team captain ripped the league's attempt to move up the deadline for players to withdraw due to coronavirus concerns.

On Sunday, tight end Matt LaCosse became the eighth Patriot to opt out — by far the most of any team. He joins Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung, Marcus Cannon, Brandon Bolden, Marqise Lee, Najee Toran and Dan Vitale in skipping the 2020 season.

Later in the day, McCourty said in a video interview the NFL's reported attempt to move the opt-out deadline up to as soon as Wednesday is "an absolute joke," calling it a ploy to keep players from withdrawing.

"I'm sure they're shocked about how many guys have opted out," McCourty said. "I think it's terrible. I think it's B.S. that the league has changed that date."

McCourty, a widely respected veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion, appears to not yet have decided what his decision will be.

"I support guys no matter what they decide, but I'm still out here having fun and figuring things out," McCourty said. "So, we'll see how we go."

Players who are deemed high-risk — like Cannon, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before entering the NFL — will receive $350,000 if they opt out. Other players will receive $150,000.

"When players understand how much power we have, we've seen things change for us; primarily even with this [new collective bargaining agreement,] with the COVID-19 and trying to get everything back, we saw some of that strength," McCourty said. "Hopefully, we'll see how everything turns out come Wednesday, if it ends up being the deadline."