Patriots reportedly agree to deal with center David Andrews

Author Ty Anderson

March 18th, 2021 10:33 PM

A two-day jump into the open market will lead David Andrews back to New England, as Andrews and the Patriots have agreed to a new four-year contract to keep the longtime team captain in Foxborough, according to multiple reports.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss and Field Yates were the first to report the deal.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Andrews, who missed all of the 2019 season due to blood clot issues, made 12 starts in 2020, and has started 69 of a possible 72 games since starting his NFL career with the Patriots back in 2015.

Andrews was also under center for Super Bowl-winning Patriot squads in both Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII.

The 28-year-old’s re-signing adds another layer to what’s been a busy week of movement on the Patriot offensive line, and comes a day after the Patriots brought back Ted Karras and with the Trent Brown acquisition made official. The Patriots also lost guard Joe Thuney to the Chiefs on an $80 million contract, and shipped Marcus Cannon to the Texans.

MORE: Patriots Free Agency Tracker

There are still plenty of notable free agents available. Scroll down for our list of names to know.

• WR Kenny Golladay

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  There's a chance that Golladay fetches an elite-level contract, which would likely price the Patriots out. But at the same time, Golladay has consistently had trouble staying on the field (he's averaged 11.8 games played per season). When he's on the field, he's one of the league's better big-play outside receiving threats. He'd be a good fit for what the Patriots like in an "X" receiver, but the question is the price.

• WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

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  Smith-Schuster's antics outside of games may concern some people. But if Belichick can get Smith-Schuster to put the phone away, the Steelers receiver would make for an ideal target for the Patriots offense. His ability and willingness to make plays over the middle of the field could be attractive enough to Belichick to land him a big contract in New England.

• EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

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  Clowney at times has flashed the big-time potential that made him the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. But his production has significantly dropped off in the past two seasons with the Seahawks and Titans. Still just 27 years old, Clowney should still have a lot left in the tank - if he wants to show it. He'll be in line for a classic one-year "prove-it" deal. Bill Belichick could be the perfect dance partner for him to resurrect his career.
• EDGE Carlos Dunlap

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  Dunlap's career hasn't cratered like Clowney's has. But at age 32, his best years are behind him and he may not get more than a one-year deal. He still has a chance to be a solid veteran edge presence for whoever takes the plunge.

• DT Jurrell Casey

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  The five-time Pro Bowler played just three games before a torn bicep ended his 2020 season early. Now 31 years old and coming off a major injury, Casey won't require a significant financial investment. This could be a classic partnership between Belichick and a proven veteran who needs to get back on track. If Casey wants to win a Super Bowl, though, he'll have several suitors better than New England.

• DT Kawann Short

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  One kind of free agent Bill Belichick should still be able to attract is an established veteran whose stock has fallen and who needs to get his career back on track. Short has missed 27 games over the past two seasons with shoulder troubles, but from 2014-18 he was one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in football. If all he can find is a one-year deal, his best bet may be to re-establish himself under Belichick’s coaching then go get paid again in 2022.
• LB Eric Wilson

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  Wilson has gone from undrafted to every-down linebacker over his first four years with the Vikings. The hard work is about to pay off for the 26-year-old, who should command a solid long-term deal. He won’t cost as much as the Lavonte Davids of the world and his best football may still be ahead of him. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

• WR Adam Humphries

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  If you recall, the Patriots were reportedly in on Humphries (and a number of other free-agent slot receivers). But he eventually signed a four-year deal with the Titans with $12 million guaranteed. He only lasted two seasons and played just 19 games from 2019-20. Humphries may have landed himself in "One-Year Prove-It Deal" territory. Perfect time to expect Belichick to strike.

• LB De’Vondre Campbell

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  Campbell started his career as an outside linebacker but has since transitioned inside. He’s coming off one of his better seasons with the Cardinals, starting all 16 games and posting 99 total tackles (seven for loss). He’d be an instant upgrade to the Patriots’ run defense. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
• DE Trent Murphy

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  Here’s an opportunity for Belichick to poach a nice player from the enemy. Murphy has the kind of size Belichick has loved at defensive end in the past (6-foot-6, 260 pounds). He managed eight combined sacks and QB hits in 2020, despite playing just 10 games and 32 percent of defensive snaps. He’d be a useful piece for a defensive line that has lacked a player of his type in recent years. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

• WR Golden Tate

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  The time may finally come for the Patriots to sign Tate, who's been profiled as a good fit for years now. Unfortunately, Tate's best days may be behind him. He turns 33 in August, and his yards and catches have declined for three straight seasons. He won't cost much, though. And they'd take any kind of established receiver in the mix at this point.

• DB Desmond King

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  This list focuses more on the front-seven, but King is an interesting option for the secondary - and special teams. His versatility as a returner would be attractive to Belichick. He’s already brought in one versatile defensive back from the Chargers, why not another? (Harry How/Getty Images)
• RB Duke Johnson

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  The Patriots aren't exactly thin at running back, with Damien Harris and Sony Michel still under contract. But unless one of those two becomes the new passing down back, the Patriots will need to figure out that spot on the roster. Re-signing James White or Rex Burkhead may be preferable, but Johnson would be a decent plan B to add a receiving back with experience.

• DE Solomon Thomas

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  This is a former third overall pick in the NFL Draft, so the upside is still there for the 25-year-old Thomas. But the Niners struggled to find a fit for him over his first four years and he never gained traction, leaving him with the dreaded “bust” label - in San Francisco, anyway. But for the Patriots, Thomas would represent a perfect opportunity to reshape him into something that works at the NFL level, and they’s do it for small money. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

• WR Breshad Perriman

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  A former first-round pick who has bounced between four teams in his career, Perriman's stock couldn't be lower after his catches and yards dipped to 30-505 with only three touchdowns in 2020. He's the kind of receiver the Patriots would take a flyer on in free agency.

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Author Ty Anderson

Category:

• Patriots
• News

Tags:

David Andrews,New England Patriots