Patriots re-sign center David Andrews to continue strong offseason

The New England Patriots appeared set to lose starting center David Andrews. Instead, they are finalizing a multi-year deal.

Spending tons and tons of money in the offseason is something we are not accustomed to seeing the New England Patriots do. But missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade may have played a role in the Patriots backing up the Brinks truck for free agents. One of their many offseason signings included center Ted Karras, which puzzled many since they had the chance to re-sign David Andrews. Was Andrews’ time in New England officially over?

That answer is no.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Patriots are re-signing Andrews to a four-year contract. No financial details have been revealed as of this writing.

Patriots: David Andrews returns to New England on four-year contract

On Tuesday, Andrews decided to test free agency. Two days later, Andrews is locked in for the next four seasons. Why have one center when the Patriots can have two?

Andrews joined the Patriots back in 2015 as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia. He impressed immediately and was thrusted into the starting lineup his rookie season. Andrews played in every season except the 2019 campaign, where he sat out due to blood clots in his lungs. Through his six years, Andrews won two Super Bowl championships with the Patriots.

This past season, Andrews surrendered just two sacks and was penalized once in 774 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

The Patriots have overhauled their offensive line quite a bit this offseason. They reacquired tackle Trent Brown from the Las Vegas Raiders, traded Marcus Cannon to the Houston Texans and lost guard Joe Thuney in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs. After the latter, the Patriots brought in Karras and retained Andrews.

With Andrews back in New England, the Patriots probably have the best offensive line depth in the entire league. That will certainly make quarterback Cam Newton happy, as he will have time to stand in the pocket to throw passes to his new targets in Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne this upcoming season.