Giants Free Agency: Devin McCourty returning to New England Patriots

The New York Giants will not be landing hotly-sought after safety Devin McCourty in free agency. The former Rutgers University star will be returning to the New England Patriots.

The #Patriots are keeping S Devin McCourty after a hard push from the #Jaguars, the #Eagles and the #Giants.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2015

Eagles and Giants took their best shot at McCourty. Others, including Jaguars, were in the mix. But back to NE he goes.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2015

The Giants, I'm told, made a legitimate, strong push to sign McCourty, but he always preferred a return to New England if things were close.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) March 9, 2015

#Patriots S Devin McCourty will sign a 5-year, $47.5M contract, source said. Wow. And... turned down more elsewhere

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2015

McCourty's contract reportedly includes $28.5 million in guarantees.

McCourty: "Financially (the Patriots) stepped up and hit all the numbers I wanted."

— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) March 9, 2015

What now for the Giants at the very much in flux safety position? Antrel Rolle is headed to the open market. Rahim Moore's price tag might be prohibitive. Ron Parker of the Kansas City Chiefs has emerged as a potential option.

Giants' safety search will now turn to guys like Rahim Moore, Ron Parker. They wanted McCourty badly. Small consolation he didn't go to PHI.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 9, 2015

The McCourty news also begs the question of whether the odds of Rolle or Stevie Brown returning to the Giants have now improved.