![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/new-england-patriots-left-with-void-they-cant-just-replace-entering-new-nfl-season/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_GettyImages-1258504876.jpg&description=After missing out on the postseason for the second time in three years, the New England Patriots' prospects of winning a first playoff game since 2018 was hit by an irreplaceable player retiring this offseason New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger admits there is no way of replacing the recently-retired Devin McCourty in their secondary this season. Dugger, 27, has spent the last three seasons in New England with the two-time Pro Bowler. McCourty spent all 13 years in the NFL as a Patriots player and was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams. The safety was almost ever-present during almost half a decade in the league. McCourty only missed five games during his entire career, and no defensive player has more postseason starts than he does. Only retiring ends that run, and Dugger knows he will have to step up after those years of learning under the veteran. However, it will take a collective effort to compensate for their loss which he knows leaves a massive void. "You can't just replace a guy like Devin," Dugger told the Boston Globe. "We're just going to have to make sure we're communicating and talking. Communication will be important and help tremendously." Adrian Phillips, who was on the Pats' secondary alongside McCourty for the last three seasons, is another who will now have a more significant role. The one-time Pro Bowler is the experienced head now and is keen for the team to move on quickly. "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," he told the newspaper. "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. 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 is confident that Dugger is uniquely suited to handling){kind=link}
After missing out on the postseason for the second time in three years, the New England Patriots’ prospects of winning a first playoff game since 2018 was hit by an irreplaceable player retiring this offseason
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger admits there is no way of replacing the recently-retired Devin McCourty in their secondary this season.
Dugger, 27, has spent the last three seasons in New England with the two-time Pro Bowler. McCourty spent all 13 years in the NFL as a Patriots player and was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams.
The safety was almost ever-present during almost half a decade in the league. McCourty only missed five games during his entire career, and no defensive player has more postseason starts than he does.
Only retiring ends that run, and Dugger knows he will have to step up after those years of learning under the veteran. However, it will take a collective effort to compensate for their loss which he knows leaves a massive void.Â