Cross another big name off the potential free agent list. Devin McCourty isn't going anywhere.
The New England Patriots, fresh off a Super Bowl championship, had one of the biggest names about to hit the market. But they retained McCourty, their free safety who played a huge role in their title run. According to Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe, McCourty's deal is for five years, $47.5 million with $28.5 million guaranteed. Manza Young reported that McCourty told her he was considering three teams. The Patriots made it worth his while to stay.
The Patriots previously put a franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, which opened up the possibility of them losing McCourty. Getting his deal done before free agency begins on Tuesday is a big move for the defending champs.
The Patriots still have one piece of unfinished potential free-agent business: cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis has a million option due before free agency starts, and the Patriots will try to get a more comfortable long-term deal done before he hits free agency. The deal for McCourty makes that harder, but Revis is a major priority for the Patriots as well.

For anyone hoping the Super Bowl champions were in for a major hit once McCourty wasn't franchised, they will be disappointed. The free agency class took yet another hit, but the Patriots will remain mostly intact trying to defend their title during the 2015 season.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab