While David Andrews’ release last week ended up coming as a disappointment to many, it sounds like the team’s decision ultimately came down to health ahead of any other potential reason.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Andrews reportedly was given what was labeled as a “failed physical” designation when he was released, which provides some insight into where he was at coming off the season-ending shoulder injury he suffered in Week 4 against the 49ers.
Back in January, Andrews had sounded optimistic, although he admitted at the time that there was a chance the team might come to him and tell him they were making a change.
“I know this is a tough business. The organization might come to me and tell me it’s time to move on,” said Andrews via Chris Mason of MassLive. “I might get into OTAs and training camp and know I can’t do it. If the organization decides to go in a different way, that’s their choice. I hope that’s not the case. I want to play football. I’ve done this for a long 26 years. I’d like to make it to 27 and see where it goes from there.”
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and Reiss also reported that a retirement ceremony by the Patriots could be coming for him should he choose not to continue his career elsewhere.
In the meantime, it still leaves them with some big questions heading into this offseason. Both Cole Strange and Jake Andrews are thought to be potential replacements for the long-time captain. Strange battled all the way back from a knee injury to take the field by the end of last season, while Andrews is coming off his own season-ending injury that happened last summer during training camp. The hope is that Andrews is back in the mix this summer potentially joining Strange in competing for a starting role.
However, there could be another name also added to the mix. Reiss reported on Sunday that the Patriots could also potentially have their eye on another player, with Garrett Bradbury’s release by Minnesota being one that Reiss believes bears watching.
As we know, the offensive line continues to be an area of concern for the Patriots, who did manage to sign Morgan Moses to handle things at right tackle during the first round of free agency. But they’ve so far been unable to find an upgrade on the left side after several signings ahead of free agency drastically weakened the pool of available players. That now leaves them with incumbent Vederian Lowe as their likely starter heading into 2025 if they’re unable to sign or draft a replacement.
That’s, well, less than ideal.
For now, while they’ve lost a massive amount of leadership with Andrews’ departure, it sounds like it was less of a decision about his ability and simply about his health.
Still, they at least have a couple of players to compete for a role, including one who has started and played at a high level up front. But at left tackle, that isn’t the case.
After all, rolling Lowe out there for 17 more weeks simply isn’t going to work. The question now is simply going to be how they address it, which remains the biggest area to watch in the coming months.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
Schweitzer is also in the mix for the Pats at center given he’s backed up the center position for some years and started ~8 games at center a few years ago. So even if not as a starter, the pats have coverage bodies at the position. Schwietzer had 4 yars starting at LGT/RG as well. Ben Brown is still with the team, and I heard expected to compete. That’s 4 guys with Jake Andrews and Strange. They could do zero and cover the position. How well is a good question, but certainly the pats brass would know if they have… Read more »