In a surprising move last week, the New England Patriots released veteran center David Andrews, a decision that left many, including former Patriots strong safety Devin McCourty, in shock. Andrews, who has been a cornerstone of the team's offensive line and a respected team captain, faced this unexpected turn of events around March 12, 2025. McCourty articulated his feelings about Andrews's release, reflecting on how valuable the center's experience could have been for rookie quarterback Drake Maye as he navigates a challenging playbook under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
"Even Dave doesn’t make the roster at the end of training camp, I just think about the impact for Drake Maye and that offense," McCourty told MassLive’s Karen Guregian. He emphasized that Andrews's presence throughout the spring and summer could have been beneficial for Maye, who is poised to take over the quarterback position.
Though it seems Andrews' best playing days are behind him at age 32, his leadership and experience on the field may prove irreplaceable. McCourty noted the intense dedication rookie quarterback Mac Jones exhibited during his own training under similar conditions in 2021, suggesting that Andrews could have lent critical support to Maye. The team reportedly had meaningful discussions with Andrews prior to his release, indicating that his exit might not have been entirely unforeseen.
Meanwhile, following this decision, the Patriots quickly sought to fill the gap in their offensive lineup. On March 18, 2025, they announced the signing of former Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury, a move that underscores the team's immediate effort to bolster its offensive line. The Patriots signed Bradbury to a two-year contract worth up to $12 million, including $3.8 million guaranteed.
At just 29 years old, Bradbury was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and has a wealth of experience with the Vikings, where he started all 88 games of his career. However, his performance has raised some eyebrows; he has been graded in pass protection significantly lower than in run blocking. Pro Football Focus ranked him 55th out of 64 centers in pass blocking with a grade of 48.2 but commended him for his run blocking with a grade of 70.7.
The Patriots presumably see Bradbury as an upgrade over Andrews, particularly considering Andrews suffered a severe shoulder injury during the 2024 season, leading to his release. Despite some concerns regarding Bradbury's pass protection skills — he allowed a career-high 38 pressures last season — he offers a degree of stability that the Patriots desperately need.
The organization is now looking to solidify its offensive line, which has been considered one of the worst in the league last season. Alongside Bradbury, Mike Onwenu is projected to fill the right guard position, while free-agent addition Morgan Moses will handle the right tackle role. The left side of the line remains uncertain, with Cole Strange, Layden Robinson, and Sidy Sow vying for the left guard spot. The absence of a definitive left tackle also leaves the team with decisions to make moving forward.
Head coach Doug Marrone faces the challenge of reshaping the offensive front in a way that better protects the quarterback and opens up the run game, a transition that will be closely scrutinized during the upcoming training camp and, ultimately, the 2025 NFL Draft.
As for Andrews, it's uncertain whether his NFL career is over. With his release coming due to a failed physical designation, the conversation surrounding his potential retirement now looms over the veteran. What remains clear is that the Patriots have made a significant shift in their lineup with the signing of Bradbury, indicating a new chapter for their offensive strategy.
The upcoming months will test the resilience and adaptability of both Andrews and the Patriots, as the organization continues to navigate through its roster changes and strategies ahead of the new season.
