Phillips: Playing without McCourty is 'ultimate test' for Patriots secondary

New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips says this year will be a new challenge for the secondary after longtime Patriot Devin McCourty retired in March.

"We appreciate him for everything that he did, and obviously, we still keep in contact, but you have to find a way to move forward without him," Phillips said on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe's Christopher Price. "That's the only way you can move forward. If you keep trying to find somebody to replace him or somebody to be like Dev - 'Do this like Dev. Do that like Dev' - we'll never be able to grow to where we need to be."

McCourty spent his entire 13-year career in New England after being selected with the No. 27 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

"This is like the ultimate test for our secondary to be able to grow because he's always been that backbone for so long," Phillips added. "But the good thing is we (have) a lot of veterans back there, and we have guys who have played the game at a high level, so we understand what it takes."

McCourty finished his career with three Super Bowl wins, a pair of Pro Bowl selections, and 35 interceptions - third in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Ty Law and Raymond Clayborn, who both finished with 36 career picks.

Kyle Dugger, whom the team selected 37th overall in the 2020 draft, is also bracing for the change that'll come with McCourty's absence.

"You can't just replace a guy like Devin," Dugger said. "We're just going to have to make sure we're communicating and talking. Communication will be important and help tremendously."

New England finished eighth in total yards allowed per game (322) and tied for 10th in points conceded per contest (20.4) in 2022. The club finished with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

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