Devin McCourty was one of the New England Patriots' biggest defensive stars during his 13-year career from 2010 to 2022.
Patriots fans are hoping that offseason free agency signing Kevin Byard can have the same kind of impact.
Insider Christopher Price of The Boston Globe compared Byard to "vintage" McCourty on Saturday.
"At safety, I’m not engaging in hyperbole when I suggest that Kevin Byard brings the consistency, smarts, toughness of vintage Devin McCourty," Price wrote.
Price's words come on the heels of Byard receiving heavy praise from New England defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr.
Like McCourty did, Byard has earned numerous impressive accolades in his first decade in the league.
The former was a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second Team All-Pro, but most importantly, won three Super Bowls as well.
Byard has earned three Pro Bowl honors, including last season with the Chicago Bears when he led the NFL with seven interceptions, and was named First Team All-Pro for the third time in 2025 too.
After signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the defending AFC champions on March 11, all that's missing for Byard now is a Super Bowl ring.
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