Jason McCourty would give up this season for his family

Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty would still consider opting out if the NFL can’t get COVID-19 under control.

Every NFL player had to make a choice going into the 2020 season. For Jason McCourty, the safety of his family was at the front of his decision-making process even as he opted to play in the midst of a pandemic.

That equation hasn’t changed, the Patriots cornerback revealed on Saturday. As the NFL contends with more coronavirus cases, McCourty is still willing to opt-out if that’s what’s best for his family.

Jason McCourty isn’t happy with the NFL on COVID-19

McCourty’s worries are understandable given the flurry of positive tests in the NFL over the past could of weeks. On Saturday, the Bears and the Chiefs were the latest teams to report positives.

He has been critical of the handling of coronavirus protocols by the league office and the NFLPA.

“For them it’s not about what’s in our best interest, our health and safety. It’s about ‘What can we make protocol-wise that sounds good, looks good?'” McCourty said according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.

If he can’t trust the NFL to keep things in check, then the option to remove himself from the situation has to be on the table. Everyone is just hoping it doesn’t have to come to that.

The player has taken his own personal precautions. Like other Patriots players, he has been staying at a hotel away from his family since New England quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for the coronavirus.

McCourty, who began his career with Tennessee in 2009 as a sixth-round pick, is in his third year with the Patriots and has played all four games for the team this year. He has 12 total tackles on the season.