Patriots releasing longtime star David Andrews in one of final connections to Super Bowl era

Patriots releasing longtime star David Andrews in one of final connections to Super Bowl era

One of the last ties to the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady dynasty era is leaving New England.

The Patriots on Thursday released longtime center and eight-time captain David Andrews, who won two Super Bowls with the team.

Andrews has been with the team since 2015 and was tied with long snapper Joe Cardona for the longest-tenured player тιтle, according to ESPN.

David Andrews is a free agent. Getty Images

“David Andrews’ career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “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.”

The Patriots are entering their new era under Mike Vrabel, and Andrews represented the last standout player from the Brady-Belichick years.

Andrews, 32, won Super Bowls 2015 and 2017 and spent 10 years with the franchise, though he did not play in 2019.

He started 11 games his rookie season en route to the championship triumph over the Seahawks, and started 121 of 124 games during his career.

Andrews and Tom Brady before Super Bowl 2018. Getty Images

Andrews only appeared in four games this past season after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, and ESPN indicated it’s possible he played his final down in the NFL.

“I did everything I could to try to play [in 2024], and it didn’t go well,” Andrews said after the season ended. “I had to make a tough decision, knowing the surgery might not go well, and it might lead to more problems. But thankfully that went well.

“Look, I know this is a tough business; the organization might come to me and tell me it’s time to move on. 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 prepares to snap against the Giants in 2015. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Andrews signed a one-year, $6.5 million extension through the 2025 season last May, and the Patriots will save $2.7 million against the cap by moving on from the veteran.

“David is a true professional, and his impact on this organization will be felt for many years to come,” Kraft continued. “On behalf of the entire Kraft family and the New England Patriots, I want to express my deepest graтιтude for his countless contributions, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career.”

Related Posts

Johnny Manziel leads pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Special Forces

Johnny Manziel leads pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Special Forces

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel headlines the pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Fox reality compeтιтion Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which premiers next…

NFL confirms major loophole in new ban on smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants

NFL confirms major loophole in new ban on smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants

NFL players gripping their contraband smelling salts like winning lottery tickets can relax: the league won’t ban the inhalants. The players’ union sent a memo to members…

Dallas Cowboys backup QB Joe Milton easily tops NFL ‘record’ during scrimmage with Los Angeles Rams

Dallas Cowboys backup QB Joe Milton easily tops NFL ‘record’ during scrimmage with Los Angeles Rams

The Cowboys’ offseason trade for Patriots backup Joe Milton wasn’t supposed to start a quarterback controversy in Dallas, given the status of entrenched $240 million starter Dak…

Travis Kelce glad to escape Taylor Swift attention in ‘sanctuary’ of Kansas City Chiefs camp

Travis Kelce glad to escape Taylor Swift attention in ‘sanctuary’ of Kansas City Chiefs camp

Kansas City Chiefs тιԍнт end Travis Kelce is glad to escape the mᴀssive attention he gets as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, calling the team’s training camp a ‘sanctuary’…

Revealed: Why Kansas City Chiefs welcomed a sworn enemy into camp… and he was even wearing team uniform

Revealed: Why Kansas City Chiefs welcomed a sworn enemy into camp… and he was even wearing team uniform

The Kansas City Chiefs have brought former Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce to training camp despite being a former sworn enemy due to his vast defensive…

Machine Gun Kelly reveals somber Taylor Swift Super Bowl chat as Travis Kelce and the Chiefs were getting beat

Machine Gun Kelly reveals somber Taylor Swift Super Bowl chat as Travis Kelce and the Chiefs were getting beat

The Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss was devastating for Travis Kelce, but it was a sad night for Machine Gun Kelly as well. The musician, who grew…