The most surprising news of the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February was that the Patriots deemed center a "sneaky need." That led to the worst-kept secret in Foxborough becoming a reality: the team plans to release David Andrews today.
His impending departure leaves a massive void in the organization, not just in the middle of that offensive line. Andrews is one of the most respected players in terms of leadership and work ethic, someone who not only talked about the standard but lived it, one of the few remaining connections to a better and more successful era. He has embraced the region and has been one of the franchise's most charitable individuals.
In a statement released through the team, owner Robert Kraft is quoted as saying, "David Andrews’ career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “As a rookie free agent, David earned a starting assignment at center in his NFL debut, a position he anchored for the next decade. His leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the team earned him the respect and admiration of his coaches and teammates, who elected him as an eight-time team captain. The importance of his leadership during his career cannot be overstated. David is a true professional, and his impact on this organization will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of the entire Kraft family and the New England Patriots, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his countless contributions, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career.”
But coming off season-ending shoulder surgery that cost him all but four games, and at 32 years old, the Mike Vrabel-Patriots have decided to move in a different direction. Should Andrews decide to retire - and that wasn't where his head was at following the disappointing 2024-25 campaign - the team will honor him in a manner similar to what they did for Julian Edelman when his knee no longer allowed him to continue his career.
When we spoke to Andrews the day after the finale against Buffalo, he knew change - beyond the firing of the coaching staff - was possible.
"Look, I know this is a tough business; the organization might come to me and tell me it's time to move on," he said. "I might get into OTAs or training camp and know I can't do it. If the organization decides to go in a different way, that's their choice and I hope that's not the case. I want to play football. I've done this for a long time -- 26 years -- and I'd like to make it 27 and see where it goes from there. I'm going to try to do it."
Andrews' resume is impeccable. He went from undrafted free agent to two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time team captain. He overcame blood clots that cost him the 2019 season and was named to the Pats all-decade team for the 2010s.
Based on their inability or unwillingness to ink one of the more experienced free agents that were available - Drew Dalman (they pursued him by he chose Chicago), Josh Myers, Ryan Kelly and Coleman Shelton have all signed elsewhere (they also tried to sign LT Dan Moore and guard Will Fries, per sources) - the Pats currently have Ben Brown and, depending on how the new staff feels about him, Cole Strange as their two centers on the roster.
Brown did an adequate job filling in for Andrews after being plucked off the Raiders practice squad. He did miss the final two games with a concussion. Strange rehabbed from a bad knee injury tin 2023-24 to return to the lineup in a new position, one that Andrews helped school him on.
In addition to the Andrews news, the team saw long-time veterans Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise leave via free agency Wednesday night. Both signed one-year deals with the Commanders.