Patriots captain hopes to return in 2025; Drake Maye ‘big reason’ why

FOXBORO — One of the few Super Bowl champions left on the Patriots’ roster wants to return for an 11th season in New England.

Center David Andrews, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4, said Monday that his goal is to play for the Patriots in 2025 if his health allows and the new regime will have him. The Patriots are in the early stages of a head-coaching search after firing Jerod Mayo on Sunday.

“Look, I know this is a tough business,” the longtime team co-captain said. “The organization might come to me and tell me it’s time to move on. I might get into OTAs or 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 26 years, and I’d like to make it to 27 and see where it goes from there.

“But I’m just taking it day by day. That’s all I can do. I’ve got a long road. I’ve been through it before, and I know what it’s going to take, and I’m going to try to do it. I’d like to see my son see me play a little bit more. I think he doesn’t want me around as much; he gets in trouble more, so I think he likes it when I’m gone a little bit. I want to play, and I want him to be able to experience it some more, because hopefully he’ll enjoy it and we’ll get to have some memories from it.”

Beyond wanting his 3-year-old son, Ford, to see him on the field, Andrews also wants a chance to snap to the future of New England’s franchise, quarterback Drake Maye. Maye did not make his first NFL start until after Andrews was lost for the year.

“I want to get to play with Drake,” said Andrews, who won Super Bowls with Tom Brady in 2016 and ’18. “I didn’t get to play any meaningful football with him. I’m super glad I got to play with Jacoby (Brissett) … but I’m excited to get to work with Drake at one point. That’s obviously a big factor in me wanting to play. A guy like that, helping him develop, and I think he gives you a good chance to win. … He’s a good player, and I’m excited for his future.”

Andrews signed a one-year extension last May that runs through the 2025 season. He turns 33 in July.

“I know it’s not all on my decision, but I’m going to take it day by day. I’m going to be in here, working out, rehabbing,” he said. “I did it today, will do it tomorrow, do it Wednesday and do it until they take my key card away.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous post 2025 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt patch now available for purchase (and could mean extra winnings)
Next post Robert Kraft details ‘very hard’ decision to fire Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo