(Photo Credit: Pats Pulpit)
The New England Patriots and their starting center, David Andrews, have agreed to a one-year contract extension with a guaranteed $8 million, according to a report from ESPN.
Andrews’ Leadership
Andrews, a seven-time team captain, was set to enter the final year of his contract with a $4.5 million base salary. Under the new agreement, he stands to earn a base value of $12 million over the next two seasons, with a maximum potential of $13 million, as disclosed by a reliable source.
Andrews, 31, is one of the oldest starting centers in the NFL and is recognized by his teammates as a key leader in the locker room.
“He’s a staple in the Patriot Way. When I think about the culture, he is that,” veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett said Thursday, shortly after news of the extension broke. “He’s a worker and a guy that has fought throughout his career to get to where he is now. I think a lot of players on our team can look up to him.”
Challenges and Future Outlook
Andrews earned his spot on the roster in 2015 as an undrafted free agent from the University of Georgia, following a personal workout with former New England coach Bill Belichick.
He was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams and has played in 120 regular-season games, starting 118 of them. Andrews has also appeared in 12 playoff games, starting 10.
After the Patriots’ tough 4-13 season in 2023, during which Andrews was often the first to speak to reporters after hard losses, he took some time to think about his future.
“It was a long year and a lot to take in, with the new change [in coaches from Belichick to Jerod Mayo]. It’s not about loving the game; I’ll be 65 and still loving the game. It was just making sure I can still do all the things I need to do to prepare and be ready to go on Sunday,” Andrews said last week. “I got away, spent time with my family, and that desire was still down in there.”
The Patriots, who selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the NFL draft, are in the midst of a rebuilding phase — something that Andrews noted also intrigued him.
“I was very excited to be part of something new, a change, and hopefully trying to figure it out and start something good,” he said.
