Last Thursday marked the end of an era at One Patriot Place. David Andrews, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons and longtime team captain, was released by the New England Patriots.
A former undrafted free agent who took over as full-time starting center in 2016, Andrews became a foundational player for the organization. Over the course of his career with the club, he started a combined 131 regular season and playoff games and helped the Patriots win two Super Bowls.
Despite all his accomplishments, he knew that there was a possibility his run with the team was nearing an end: set to turn 33 in July and coming off a season-ending shoulder injury, the call did not come entirely unexpected.
That said, as he pointed out on his Quick Snap Podcast this week, that did not make it any less of a surprise.
“You’re a little shocked by it,” Andrews told co-host Brian Hoyer.
“I’ve been so blessed. I got 10 years and I’ve never been fired. I was living the pipe dream that I would hopefully make the decision myself. What did Bill [Belichick] say? ‘There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and you’re hoping it’s not a train.’ I was hoping it wasn’t a train, but it was a train.”
Andrews’ release came the same offseason as the Patriots introducing a new coaching staff. Mike Vrabel was hired in to replace Jerod Mayo after a one-and-done season, and he brought Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator with him.
McDaniels and Andrews, of course, have an extensive history together; they were with the Patriots between 2015 and 2021. The veteran offensive lineman was therefore looking forward to a reunion that ultimately never materialized.
“I wanted the opportunity to try to play, and see if I can get back to play football. I was super excited for the opportunity with Josh and the new coaches, and getting to know them,” he said.
“I knew the offense really well and had a lot of success in that offense; it fits my play style well — how I like to play, what I like to do. I’ve had a lot of success and was excited for that reunion. I’ve had a great relationship with Josh and was excited to see Vrabel and what he brought to the table as a football coach. But I knew that was part of it.”
When the Patriots officially released Andrews last week, they did so with a failed physical designation — a sign that he is not yet at a point in his recovery from shoulder surgery where he can compete at the necessary level.
His medical status in combination with his age and a new coaching staff coming aboard made a release a real possibility this offseason. Andrews himself was not oblivious to that fact either, regardless of the surprising nature of the eventual decision being made.
“I knew that this was a possibility. Teams start seeing that age and surgeries, and things like that, that’s a really possibility,” he said. “They’re trying to do what’s best for the football team, and we’ve been told that for a long time. You respect that as a player. Obviously, I thought there were some things I could do to help and provide value. But I understand their decision at some level. …
“If you’re a competitor, you’re not like, ‘Great.’ Nobody wants to get fired, even in the real world. But I definitely respect their decision. Do I like it? No. I think I could provide value. I was hoping that I could try to play and just trying to get the ship in the right direction and help the organization and the community and whatever you want to say.”
Despite Andrews’ feelings on his ability to still contribute, he harbors no ill-will toward the team as he heads toward an uncertain future for the first time in a decade.
“Still love the organization, still love the community,” he said. “We’re still here. We don’t have any plans to make any drastic moves right now, depending on different situations. It is our home right now.”