David Andrews, an emblem of resilience and leadership for a decade in New England, will be moving on in 2025, as the Patriots announced his release on Wednesday. His journey from an undrafted rookie to a cornerstone of the Patriots' offensive line is a testament to his dedication and skill, as Andrews' place among the team's all-time great offensive linemen is firmly established.

Andrews spent 10 seasons with the Patriots, winning two Super Bowl titles in 2016 and 2018, serving as a team captain eight times, and entrenching himself as one of the team's core championship leaders.

Andrews was a mainstay in college at the University of Georgia with 40 career starts, earning AP Second Team All-SEC honors as a senior as well as team MVP. As a senior, his consistent performance earned him a spot as one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation's top center.

Despite his collegiate accolades, Andrews went undrafted in 2015. Undeterred, he signed with the Patriots on May 8, 2015. Injuries to key players provided Andrews an opportunity, and he seized it, seeing immediate action in every preseason game. His reliability led to him starting at center in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the beginning of a remarkable NFL career.

Andrews' influence was immediate as he started 11 games in his rookie season. His leadership qualities were recognized early, leading to his appointment as a team captain in 2017, his second season with the team.

In 2019, Andrews faced a significant health challenge with a pulmonary embolism, which sidelined him for the season. Demonstrating resilience, he returned in 2020, reclaiming his starting position and continuing to anchor the offensive line. His commitment to the team was further solidified with a four-year contract extension in 2021.

"He's been as good as I've seen, honestly," said Bill Belichick in 2023 of Andrews' leadership. "Every day, his performance on a daily basis is really exceptional. Attitude, effort, communication, energy, leadership of the younger players, leadership of his peers, communication, you name it. Look, like everybody who plays a lot of football, you get banged up, you're going to deal with some stuff during the year. He's shown a lot of physical toughness to play through that, a lot of mental toughness. He would never come out of practice for a play. We have to take him out to help manage some of the bumps and bruises that he has. But, this guy is a warrior."

With Andrews' departure, the Patriots' center position enters a new era. Ben Brown, who returned to the team this offseason, could be poised to take on the starting role. Brown hopped right into the starting lineup last year after Andrews was lost for the season and did a solid job starting 10 games.

Additionally, Cole Strange, primarily a guard in his first two healthy seasons with the Patriots, has the versatility to transition to center, a move he began to make during his brief return to action last season with two starts at the new position in the team's final two games. Strange is a bit of an unknown commodity at this point but offers some added depth and flexibility. Jake Andrews, who missed the entire 2024 season due to injury, also presents potential at the center position, adding to the team's options.

David Andrews' journey from undrafted free agent to two-time Super Bowl champion epitomizes the spirit of perseverance and excellence. His leadership, both on and off the field, has left an indelible mark on the Patriots organization. As the team transitions to a new chapter at the center position, Andrews' legacy will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for dedication, toughness and success.

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