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Patriots Decide to Cut Ties With 8-Time Captain

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 10:39 AM ET

It has been a busy week for the New England Patriots, who topped all NFL teams in money committed to free agents thus far, with contracts valued at $280 million given out to nine players, per Spotrac.

But the team is looking to overhaul several key spots, most notably the offensive line, and on Thursday, the Patriots made a difficult decision: They are cutting ties with beloved 32-year-old center David Andrews, who has been in New England for 10 seasons, has been a team captain for eight years and has won two Super Bowls.

Andrews, an undrafted free agent back in 2015, played only four games last year.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported on Twitter/X: "Patriots making a change at center, with plans to release franchise pillar and 8-time captain David Andrews today, per sources. Andrews is recovering from shoulder surgery. If he decides to retire, the expectation is that the team would host a ceremony for him to honor his widespread contributions over the last decade."

News story: Patriots making a change at center, with plans to release franchise pillar and 8-time captain David Andrews today, per sources.

Andrews is recovering from shoulder surgery. If he decides to retire, the expectation is that the team would host a ceremony for him to…
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 13, 2025

Andrews and long-snapper Joe Cardona were the team's longest tenured players. While the Patriots did add a lineman in this year's free-agent haul, thus far, right tackle Morgan Moses remains the only new lineman on the team. The Pats still badly need a left tackle and, now, a proven commodity at center.

But those issues will be dealt with. For now, team owner Robert Kraft issued a statement on Andrews:

"David Andrews' career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve. 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."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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