Chung becomes 6th Patriots player to opt out of season

New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung will opt out of the 2020 season, he told ESPN's Mike Reiss, becoming the sixth player from his team to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chung is the third marquee Patriot to opt out, joining linebacker Dont'a Hightower and right tackle Marcus Cannon, who was deemed a high-risk player because of his prior battle against cancer.

Patriots opting out of 2020 season

Chung has spent 10 of his 11 NFL seasons in New England. He was a starter on the teams that won Super Bowls XLIX, LI, and LIII, and has been one of the Patriots' most consistent defenders over the last several years.

The veteran recorded 51 tackles and three pass breakups last season. The Patriots often deploy him against tight ends in coverage.

With the 32-year-old sitting out, New England figures to give second-round rookie Kyle Dugger a chance to earn a starting role in training camp.

Given all the opt-outs, the Patriots will hold well over $20 million in cap space to work with in 2020.