Being a captain in NFL is no easy task. The motivation, the pep talks, the locker room chest thumps, a captain has to do a lot. For one, the captain of the New England Patriots — David Andrews — has nicely filled the shoes for a decade now. And as the team welcomes a new HC in Mike Vrabel, restructuring has also begun. One of the first moves? Parting ways with the legendary center.

The Patriots and a franchise legend parting ways? That’s not exactly a new headline in New England. But in the recent past, since Tom Brady’s move to Tampa, this one would sting a little differently in Foxborough. But owner Robert Kraft has made it clear where he stands on the decision.

Through the official page of the Pats, Kraft sent a final adieu to the 2x champ. “David Andrews’ career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve. As a rookie free agent, David earned a starting assignment at center in his NFL debut, a position he anchored for the next decade.

“His leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the team earned him the respect and admiration of his coaches and teammates, who elected him as an eight-time team captain. The importance of his leadership during his career cannot be overstated. David is a true professional, and his impact on this organization will be felt for many years to come.”

And indeed, it would be. You know where you stood as a part of a team when the owner is not simply checking off a PR box but endorsing a guy who lived and breathed Patriots football.

“On behalf of the entire Kraft family and the New England Patriots, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his countless contributions, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career,” Kraft further added.

Andres wasn’t just a rock at center but a leader, a two-time Super Bowl champ, and an eight-time team captain. And when an undrafted rookie earns that level of respect, you know he’s built different. Knowing that he is leaving a huge part of himself, Andrews took to his Instagram to share his final words for the team. He wrote in his story: “Thank you Patriots. I will always cherish the memories and relationships on and off the field and what we accomplished. The best 10 years me and [my wife] could ever ask for. I’ll always be a Patriot.”

However, he already knew that his future with the team might not be as secure anymore. Back in January, he told the media, “I know this is a tough business. The organization might come to me and tell me it’s time to move on. I might get into OTAs and 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 a long 26 years. I’d like to make it to 27 and see where it goes from there. I’m just taking it day by day. That’s all I can do. I’ve got a long road. Been through it before so I know what it’s going to take, and I’m going to try to do it.”

Jeff Howe of The Athletic shared a story that sums up Andrews’ reputation in the locker room. Early in his career, Howe asked Brady if he’d have time to talk about Andrews’ progression as a starter. Brady, swamped as always, told him to check back the next day. Now, plenty of players say that and forget—but not Brady. The next day, when the locker room opened, Howe was the first one in. And there was Brady, sitting at his locker, big grin, just waiting. He made it a priority to talk about Andrews. That tells you everything.

So why is he out? One of the reasons is his age and growing retirement rumors. Although he is not retiring yet as he wished to play his 27th year as a footballer, injury concerns have also pushed Vrabel to make moves. Last season, the former captain played only four games after a season-ending shoulder surgery. The new HC, the former Patriots LB, fresh off his tenure in Tennessee is making moves, and Andrews’ release signals a shift in the trenches. That’s the business side of the NFL. And yet it won’t undermine what Andrews gave to the badge.

His philosophy? Play for the name in the front and the one in the back will gain enough fame when the time’s right. Now, Andrews is leaving behind an organization where he stepped into the league as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia, got tossed into the fire as a starter, and never looked back. He became the first name to be called out for when the stakes were high because he was a fighter. Remember how he battled through injuries, and even overcame a pulmonary embolism in 2019 that could’ve ended his career? They don’t make it like him anymore.

So, by any means, there’ll be teams circling around him like vultures. But many experts think it’s hard to see him wear another jersey. Who knows? Maybe he decided to call it an end. But in New England, they must turn their ‘Next man up’ switch on to find a leader.

Robert Kraft could only hope Mike Vrabel finds a new leader

David Andrews is out and just like that, another leader is gone. Ten years, two rings, and a lot of learnings of a leadership—cut loose. But all that talk is now done. The door is shut. So, who’s next? Rober Kraft’s ‘next’ favorite coach must find his ‘next’ favorite leader.

Meanwhile, let’s see the current options: Cole Strange, Ben Brown, Jake Andrews, and Lecitus Smith. None of them are David Andrews. But no one is, to be fair to them. Strange got some reps at center late last season, but that doesn’t make him a lock, coming close to being the next man up. Brown was a plug-and-play guy last year, but an unproven one.

The Patriots need more than just bodies—they need an anchor, a guy who can call protections, read defenses, and be the glue of the O-line. And right now, that guy isn’t on the roster.

Enter free agency. The market isn’t exactly overflowing with Pro Bowlers, but there are a few names that fit the Patriots’ pattern—guys with ties to the coaching staff. Andre James? Played under Josh McDaniels in Vegas. Daniel Brunskill and Corey Levin? Vrabel’s guys from Tennessee. Nick Harris? Briefly overlapped with Vrabel in Cleveland.

None of them scream franchise centerpiece, but with the top-tier options gone, the Pats might have to take what they can get. The Patriots need more than a unit for snapping the ball to Drake Maye. They need someone who can own the role.

Robert Kraft knows it. Mike Vrabel knows it. The Patriots aren’t in the business of nostalgia, but they are in the business of winning. And right now, without Andrews, that job just got a whole lot harder.