David Andrews opens up about being released by the Patriots

On Friday's edition of Zolak & Bertrand, former Patriots center David Andrews opened up about being released by the Patriots.

Did I like the decision? No.

Scott Zolak:

How did the year end for you, and where were you at mentally?

David Andrews:

It was a weird year because I knew going in, I had this shoulder problem and it was kind of trying to figure out what's the best course of action, surgery after last year, you know, and it was kind of more see what happens. And you know, it just got worse and worse. Then we were having talks about this surgery and it was like, hey, could be career ending. Then we talked to another guy and he was like I've done 2 of them, let’s try it, but look I could go in there and you know something could be wrong and that would be it. You could go to sleep thinking you're playing and wake up and it's over. I was like, I'm willing to risk that because I knew if I played, I was going to have to sit out a bunch and then I just didn't think I would ever play the way I had to play. Being 6’2 290, there's a certain way I got to play the game to be successful and be happy with myself. We did the surgery and everything went well. It was obviously right after surgery, you’re really down and out. Just. You're getting sponge baths.

So, you know, down and out and then you start doing new rehab, you start getting out of the stupid sling and you're feeling better and getting strength. I knew it was going to be a process but I wanted to go out and try to prove to myself that, hey, I could do this and do it with the organization and for the organization. I said it at the end of the year when I had to do media, like this is a possibility. Like you've been around it, Zo. You're 33 coming off your second shoulder surgery. You know, it's a very big possibility.

Scott Zolak:

Did you feel that they look at it as here’s his number of games played and here's the age and here's the type of surgery he had. We love the guy, but damn it, Week 6 he goes down for the rest of the year and we’re F’d. Do you feel like that’s a concern of theirs? You played through so many injuries, but you couldn’t play through this.

David Andrews:

Look, who knows what could’ve happened. I could’ve gone to training camp and they said I can’t do it or hey David, you're not the kind of player you are anymore. Now they're kind of reeling and it's the kind of business where it’s not what have you done for me but what have you done for me lately? And I didn't do much last year. So, I understand the decision and like I said, do I like it? No, I mean no player wants that, right? But at the end of the day, I understand the decision and as much as I wanted to try it and thought I could do it obviously, that's why I was doing it. But you know, I think the team tried to make the best decision they could for the team.

Listen to the full interview!

It's been a wild week, a wild month, and a wild year so far, Pats-wise. So let's give you a Patriots offseason recap (so far).

On the Toucher & Hardy show, we brought back our slate of regular contributors that join us during the NFL season. We figured they'd all have plenty to say about the Patriots early free agency moves, of which there were many.

Our own Alex Barth joined us on Monday to preview the week ahead and to showcase our Offseason Hub. That's the place to go to keep track of every move the Pats make and get same-day reactions from the Sports Hub hosts.

Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald joined us for an hour on Tuesday to ask if the Pats onslaught of moves missed the mark. On Wednesday, ESPN Patriots insider Mike Reiss predicted an uptick in the win column for New England in 2025.

On Thursday, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston was in the mix as the news was breaking of longtime Pats center David Andrews being cut from the team. Then, to round out the week, Bert Breer spent an hour with us on Friday to recap and react.

Get all the videos below, the hit the Sports Hub YouTube page for more of our Patriots offseason recap (so far).

Pre-free agency moves were the topic du jour with the Barthtender on Monday.

There was so much to cover with Andrew on Tuesday we didn't even have time for 2 Stats, 1 Lie.

Mike Reiss joins us on Mondays during the Patriots season. He moved to Wednesday this week.

Phil handled the breaking David Andrews news like a pro during his Thursday visit.

We had a "Bert Blast!" on Friday recapping a wild week for the Patriots.