In a swift turn of events, former Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury has found a new team, signing a two-year deal with the New England Patriots on March 18, 2025. Bradbury's release from the Vikings occurred just a day prior, marking the end of a six-season stint with the team.
Reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the financial terms of the deal are set at $12 million, with $3.8 million guaranteed. This signing serves as a strategic move for the Patriots, who are looking to enhance their offensive line in anticipation of quarterback Drake Maye's second season.
Bradbury's transition to New England comes after the Patriots released veteran center David Andrews the week prior, creating an immediate need for a reliable center. Andrews, who has been a stalwart for the team, was released after failing a physical examination, thereby opening the door for Bradbury to step in as the starting option.
Having started all 88 games in which he was active since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Bradbury's experience is undeniable. In the most recent season, he maximized his contributions by starting all 17 games for the Vikings. However, his performance has seen ups and downs, culminating in a decline according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), where he ranked 31st in 2023 and 33rd in 2024.
Bradbury was drafted 18th overall by the Vikings and entered the league with high expectations. Early in his career, he was regarded as a promising center, demonstrated by his ranking as the 10th highest-graded center by PFF in the 2022 season. But as the Vikings' offensive dynamics changed, primarily due to the signing of four-time Pro Bowl pick Ryan Kelly, it became clear that Bradbury's days in Minnesota were numbered.
The Vikings officially parted ways with Bradbury on March 17, 2025, after they were unable to find a suitable trade partner. This decision reflected a broader strategic shift within the Vikings’ roster, as they looked to rebuild their offensive line around new talent.
In a seemingly fortuitous timing for both player and team, the Patriots were keen to bolster their offensive line as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the 2025 season. The organization expressed confidence in Bradbury's ability to step into the glaring vacancy left by Andrews and bring stability to the position.
As Bradbury embarks on this new chapter with New England, expectations are high. He not only needs to adapt to a new system but also prove that he can recapture the level of play that made him a first-round draft pick. The Patriots believe he can be a key player in protecting Maye, who steps into the starting quarterback role after a rookie season of development.
The signing is a pivotal moment not just for brave but also for the Patriots, who have prioritised shoring up their offensive line this offseason. Recently, they also acquired right tackle Morgan Moses, positioned to further enhance their blocking schemes. The team aims to address their offensive line issues in time for the draft and the upcoming season's strategies.
With Bradbury now in the fold, the Patriots are optimistic that the combination of talent and experience will yield positive results as they gear up for a competitive season in the NFL. Fans in Foxborough will be closely watching how this new signing impacts the team's performance, particularly as they seek to improve on last season's results.
