As free-agency news has slowed down since the March 10th frenzy, the Patriots have made their fair share of moves as the team tries to improve on a 4-13 season with Mike Vrabel entering his first year coaching in Foxborough.
New England's free-agency moves so far show an emphasis on improving the offensive and defensive lines for next season. The team has added Milton Williams, Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson and Khyiris Tonga on defense while adding Morgan Moses and Wes Schweitzer to help protect Drake Maye.
They didn't stop there, as they agreed to terms with C Garrett Bradberry on a two-year, $12 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That deal also features $3.8 million guaranteed.
Sources: Former Vikings’ 2019 first-round pick Garrett Bradbury has reached agreement on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million, including $3.8 million guaranteed, with the New England Patriots.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2025
Bradbury started all 88 games he played for the Vikings. The Patriots recently… pic.twitter.com/ukWqfBV8bP
Patriots Sign Garrett Bradberry on Tuesday
When there come arrivals, there are likely to be departures as well. None were bigger than the Patriots releasing their longtime center, heart and soul of the offensive line, David Andrews. Age and injury concerns ultimately led the two-time Super Bowl champions' time in New England to end.
The Patriots releasing Andrews created a hole in the offensive line at the center position, as well as losing a leader in the locker room.
While it will be hard to replace what Andrews did for the Patriots organization, there's a chance that Bradberry can become that guy.
This former first-round center was released by the Vikings earlier this week, and could be the perfect fit for New England moving forward.
Bradbury, 29, has spent his six-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. The 19th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has been a staple up front for Minnesota, starting 88 games over six years for the team.
The #Vikings are releasing veteran center Garrett Bradbury with a post-June 1 designation, per me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2025
After trying to trade him, Minnesota now officially moves on from Bradbury, their former first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/P5QDQnXbo0
The Patriots were one of the most offensive line-needy teams in the league even after bringing in Morgan Moses, so signing Bradbury is another step in the right direction after cutting ties with Andrews.
Like Andrews, Bradbury excels in run blocking, finishing last season with a 70.7 overall grade on PFF, good for 14th out of 66 eligible centers.
During Vrabel's time in Tennessee, the Titans were a run-heavy offense much due to the ability of Derrick Henry and good run blockers across the offense, including receivers and tight ends who could block in space.
With the one-two punch of Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, Vrabel won't be afraid to run the ball this upcoming season, as bringing Bradbury in upfront is a good start to establishing that "pound the rock" scheme that wears opposing defenses down.
Bradbury was a big part of an offensive line that allowed Aaron Jones to rush for 1,138 yards on 4.5 yards per carry last season. The Charlotte, NC native is as durable as they come, appearing in at least 12 games in every season of his career.
Getting Bradbury to become the successor to Andrews wasn't in the Patriots' offseason plans but it allowed them to land a solid replacement. They wanted to improve on a line that produced a 67% run block win rate last season, ranking dead last in the NFL.
Bradbury is an improvement over Cole Strange, who is listed as the Patriots starting center as of now. Strange only appeared in 3 games last season, and has had a disappointing career as a Patriot after being a first-round pick in 2022.
The Patriots have around $89 million in cap space to work with according to Spotrac, the highest amount in the NFL after one week of free agency and used some to bring Bradbury in.