Patriots
Andrews, who turns 32 in July, left the door open to possibly retire following the 2023 season.
David Andrews’ football future was uncertain the last time he took the podium for the 2023 season, leaving the door open to possibly retire following the Patriots’ miserable year.
Four months later, Andrews is back in the fold in Foxborough. He’s participating in offseason workouts as he prepares for his 10th season, including the 2019 season he missed due to a blood clot.
Andrews, who turns 32 in July, explained that his decision to return for another year had less to do with his passion for football and more about still wanting to do the work necessary for a full season.
“It is not much about loving the game, I’ll be 65 years old and still love the game,” Andrews told reporters on Thursday. “But just making sure I can do all the things I need to do to prepare and be ready to go on Sunday. I took some time and got away and spent some time with my family, much needed.
“That desire was still down in there to wanna get up and go train and do all the things I need to do to take care of myself.”
Even though the Patriots’ offense was third-to-last in yards and tied for last in scoring in 2023, Andrews still had a solid year upfront. He gave up six sacks, according to Pro Football Focus, being one of the very few reliable players on New England’s offense.
As he settles in for another season in New England though, Andrews will be playing for a new head coach for the first time since the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2015. But Andrews is looking forward to playing under Jerod Mayo, who was a teammate of his in his rookie season, and all the change occurring in Foxborough.
“Obviously with the changes and everything, getting to talk to Mayo, sit down with him, talk to him, I was very excited to be a part of something new, a change,” Andrews said. “But hopefully trying to figure it out and start something new and start something good. Being a part of that process, that was something I was excited about.”
Mayo’s promotion isn’t the only change the Patriots made this offseason. They hired a new offensive coordinator, bringing in Alex Van Pelt to replace Bill O’Brien.
The Patriots also replaced who Andrews will likely be snapping the ball to. They traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars in March before signing Jacoby Brissett and selecting Drake Maye with the third overall pick in April’s draft.
Andrews revealed that he FaceTimed Maye after New England selected him, sharing that he was a “pretty big kid” when he first saw him. He also remarked that Maye has “got some good energy about him” as he’s embracing the change around him.
“It’s kind of like being part of a new organization but not,” Andrews said. “It’s still home and, but the new offense, right? I’ve really enjoyed getting to work with a lot of our coaches, a lot of the new guys, obviously. Now, we have all the young rooks coming in this weekend, so to meet some of them and see them and get to work with them next week.”
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