UPDATE (3:44 p.m. ET): As it turns out, Jason McCourty was not released by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. He was traded — to the New England Patriots, where he’ll join his twin brother, Devin.
Read more about the trade here.
ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots need a cornerback, and a familiar name reportedly just hit the open market.
Jason McCourty, Patriots safety Devin McCourty’s twin brother, is being released by the Cleveland Browns. Jason confirmed the news via Twitter.
Devin also immediately reacted to Mike Garafolo from NFL Media’s initial report.
McCourty signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Browns last offseason. He had a strong season, letting up 56 catches on 83 targets for 646 yards with five touchdowns allowed and three interceptions. He was Pro Football Focus’s 17th ranked cornerback in 2017.
The McCourty Twins, who both played at Rutgers, have long wanted to reunite in the NFL. This could finally be their chance to share the same defense. Jason has never made the playoffs during his NFL career, while Devin has been in the postseason every year since being drafted in 2010.
The Patriots are projected to start Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe at cornerback. Jason, 30, could come in as competition for Rowe, Jonathan Jones and Cyrus Jones. Since he only was due $3 million in 2018, he could come cheap to the Patriots.
The Patriots already have a pair of twins on their 90-man roster in wide receiver Cody Hollister and tight end Jacob Hollister.
