THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS have announced the release of veteran center David Andrews.
Andrews, 32, played alongside Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.
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The former Georgia star spent ten seasons with the organization.
But he has been dogged by injuries since signing a lucrative extension in 2021.
Andrews is an eight-time captain in Foxborough and started 121 of his 124 appearances.
The Patriots announced his release on Thursday with an emotional statement.
“David Andrews’ career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft.
“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.
“On behalf of the entire Kraft family and the New England Patriots, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his countless contributions, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career.”
Andrews endured another injury hit campaign in 2024.
He was limited to four starts at center, admitting in January he expected to be released after a prolonged shoulder issue.
“Look, I know this is a tough business. The organization might come to me and tell me it’s time to move on,” Andrews told reporters.
“I might get into OTAs or training camp and know I can’t do it. And if the organization decides to go a different way, that’s their choice. I hope that’s not the case.
“I want to play football. I’ve done this for 26 years and I’d like to make it to 27 and see where it goes from there.
“But I’m just taking it day by day. That’s all I can do. I got a long road.
“Been through it before, so I know what it’s going to take.”
Andrews held the longest tenure left on the offensive side of the ball at the Patriots.
He played a total of 7,830 snaps, protecting legendary quarterback Brady at the pivot spot as a rookie.
The center made ten starts in the playoffs and was retained on a four-year, $19 million contract in 2021.
His deal was restructured a year later and he is now free to join another team.
