Belichick Leaving Helped Patriots Re-Sign Key Veteran

It is a new era in New England. After the departure of Bill Belichick, things are clearly changing with the Patriots organization. The team already has a new general manager, a first-time head coach, and a rookie quarterback to spearhead the post-Belichick era.

Even though the departure of Belichick is generally seen as a negative, it has major benefits for the organization as well. One of the most recent and apparent benefits was to retain a key veteran in free agency.

The Patriots' long-time offensive lineman David Andrews was contemplating retirement after how last season went. He had hinted at retiring if Belichick was staying for another season. Instead, with Jerod Mayo at the helm, Andrews isn't only staying in Foxborough, but he also signed a contract extension. He had credited Mayo for giving him the desire to come back for another year.

Patriots and C David Andrews Sign A Two-Year Contract Extension

According to Field Yates of ESPN, Andrews is signing a two-year contract extension with the Patriots for base value of $12 million. That is a bargain deal for a player who was one of the better centers in the NFL last season, ranking 12th in 2023 by Pro Football Focus. He was also healthy all season, appearing in all 17 games for New England.

The former Georgia standout will enter his tenth season with the Patriots. He will be the longest-tenured Patriot on the roster along with long snapper Joe Cardona. Andrews won two Super Bowls with the team since he joined in 2015 as an undrafted free agent.

Andrews will play a huge part in Drake Maye's rookie season as well. The rookie will be fortunate to have an experienced veteran in front of him as he adjusts to the NFL. That is perhaps as valuable as any free agent signing the Patriots could have made this offseason, and Jerod Mayo deserves credit for convincing the veteran offensive lineman.

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