David Andrews says he wants to return to the Patriots in 2025

The Patriots' captain's comeback may depend on who takes over as the team's next head coach.

David Andrews (left) says he wants to play another season with Drake Maye. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff (sports)

January 8, 2025

2 minutes to read

Patriots center David Andrews says he can’t wait to suit up for the team again — if they’ll have him back.

The longtime offensive lineman and team captain announced his intentions to return from offseason shoulder surgery for another year with the Patriots and doubled down on that assertion on “The Quick Snap” podcast Tuesday.

“I want to play football, and I hope I get that chance,” Andrews said on the latest episode. “I understand with the new regime, they might want to go in a different direction, whatever it may be. I just hope I get that chance to keep playing. If I go out on my shield, I go out. Or if I can come [back] and play, then we’ll do it one more time and see where the chips lie.”

Andrews missed almost the entire 2024 season with his latest shoulder injury, but he says he expects to be medically cleared for action around the time of OTAs in May.

David Andrews will be playing football in 2025 😤 The Captain is returning 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HCYHKjMM17
— The Quick Snap (@quicksnappod) January 8, 2025

By then, he hopes to be snapping the ball to rising star QB Drake Maye, whom Andrews didn’t get to start alongside during the regular season due to the injury.

“A part of the reason I want to come back and why I want to play is him,” he said. “I think he gives you a chance for success. That’s what I want.”

The veteran center has one year remaining on his current contract with the Patriots, with whom he has spent all of his 10 NFL seasons. But he’s suggested his time in the NFL may be drawing to a close — and that his health might make that decision for him sooner rather than later.

“I know how this goes. I know I might not be the same player. It might get into OTAs and training camp, and the organization might be like, ‘We appreciate everything you’ve done, but it’s time.’ And then I’ll probably know it too,” he said.

“I’m not ready to give up the ghost yet … Hopefully I have some ball left in me.”

It would behoove the Patriots to give Andrews, their most experienced offensive lineman by far, the chance to battle it out for the starting center job with any new signings as well as former first-round pick Cole Strange, who played center the last two games of the season.

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