Devin McCourty blasts NFL for pushing to move opt-out deadline

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty isn't happy with the NFL's handling of the opt-out deadline for the 2020 season.

The longtime Patriots captain ripped into the league on Sunday for reportedly attempting to move up the deadline for opt-outs prior to the upcoming campaign.

"I think it is an absolute joke that the NFL is changing the opt-out period, mainly because they don't want to continue to see guys opt out. I'm sure they're shocked about how many guys have opted out," McCourty said, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. "I think it's terrible. I think it's B.S. that the league has changed that date."

Players were supposed to get a week from when the NFL and the NFLPA signed the collective bargaining agreement amendment to make their decision. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported recently the league is expected to push up the deadline to as early as Wednesday.

"Monday will be our first day in the building, so to try to act like guys are trying to make a decision about something other than virtual meetings is a joke," McCourty said. "When players understand how much power we have, we've seen things change for us; primarily even with this deal, with the COVID-19 and trying to get everything back, we saw some of that strength. Hopefully, we'll see how everything turns out come Wednesday, if it ends up being the deadline.

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

McCourty, who read a five-page statement and took no questions, didn't confirm if he's playing this season.

New England has experienced by far the most opt-outs, with eight players - including linebacker Dont'a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung - deciding not to suit up in 2020 over COVID-19 concerns.

Across the league, other big-name players have also opted out.

Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first, and his teammate, running back Damien Williams, followed shortly after. New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley and New York Giants left tackle Nate Solder are also sitting out, among others.

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