In an offseason of change, David Andrews chose to stay.

To play, to teach, to learn.

To give it, at least, one more season.

Andrews, now entering his 10th year in New England, will continue as the Patriots’ starting center after being non-committal about his future in his final press conference last January. Days later, he retreated to his native Georgia with his family and contemplated a return, while the Patriots changed over most of their coaching staff and front-office philosophy. Eventually, Andrews discovered he still wanted to play, and met with new head coach Jerod Mayo about the new direction of the franchise.

“(It’s) 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.”

Andrews explained his preparation process is longer now, entering his age-32 season. He said he used to rib now retired captain Matthew Slater about his three-hour workouts, which used to start with roughly an hour of ramp-up. Now Andrews follows a similar regimen, and said he received some ribbing from younger players while he trained at a Georgia high school over the offseason.

In Foxboro, Andrews is learning a brand new offense under Alex Van Pelt, his fourth offensive coordinator in as many years. Andrews described new offensive line coach Scott Peters, also a fourth in as many years, as a “highly skilled technician.” He’ll also work with a new quarterback, whether it’s first-round rookie Drake Maye — whom Andrews said he’s “super excited” to work with — or veteran Jacoby Brissett.

“Kind of like being part of a new organization,” he said, “but it’s not.”

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As for the new-look Patriots, Andrews shared a great belief in Mayo’s ability as a head coach. He said Mayo is the same guy he played with in 2015, Andrews’ rookie season and Mayo’s last as a player. It’s unclear how long Andrews will continue playing, and he’s publicly mulled a coaching career after he retires.

For now, the longtime captain will play out the final season of the four-year contract he signed in 2021; perhaps the end for him at the definitive start of a new era in New England.

“Hopefully trying to figure it out and start something new and start something good,” he said. “Being a part of that process, that was something I was excited about.”