NESN.com confirmed Friday, through a source, a report by NFL Media’s Albert Breer that the Patriots have expressed interest in signing the All-Pro safety to a long-term contract, though there is no timetable for a deal to be done at this time. McCourty is in the last year of his rookie contract, and he’s set to earn a $3.92 million base salary with a salary-cap hit over $5 million.
The Patriots could lower McCourty’s 2014 salary by extending him, which would allow them to carry over more cap room into the 2015 season. The Patriots currently have $7.236 million in cap room.
McCourty earned All-Pro second-team honors in 2013 — his first season as a full-time safety. The 2012 and 2013 defensive captain had 69 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles last season.