The long-time team captain is one of the Patriots’ best players.
Instability has been the theme of the 2023 season for the New England Patriots’ offensive line. Whether due to injury or performance, the unit has seen constant turnover across the board — with one exception: David Andrews.
The Patriots’ starting center has been one of the team’s most reliable and, frankly, most valuable this season. It starts with him having been on the field for all 883 offensive snaps over the first 14 games, and extends beyond the gridiron to his role as a team captain and one of the most respected players in the organization.
That respect comes in many forms. Just this week, for example, Andrews was presented with the Ron Hobson Good Guy Award for his interactions with local media.
It did not end there: on Friday, head coach Bill Belichick took the podium, and when asked about the veteran offensive lineman offered some praise that can best be described as effusive.
“Fantastic. Fantastic. He’s been, he’s done it — I mean, it’s as good as I’ve seen, honestly,” Belichick said when asked about Andrews’ leadership in light of a challenging season.
“Every day. His performance on a daily basis is really exceptional. Attitude, effort, communication, energy, leadership with younger players, leadership with his peers, you name it.”
Andrews joined the Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2015 and by his second season had earned the starting position at center. Since then, he has started 124 games over his nine seasons with the organization — including three Super Bowls — and has developed into a cornerstone for the team, especially over the difficult last few years.
The 31-year-old is as steady as they come, both in his status as a team leader off the field and as an ultra-reliable performer on it. His 100 percent snap count share this season is a perfect example for that, and according to Belichick testament to his toughness both from a physical and a mental perspective.
“Like everybody that plays a lot of football, you get banged up and deal with some stuff during the year,” he said. “He’s showed a lot of physical toughness to play through that, a lot of mental toughness. He would never come out of practice for a play; we have to take him out to kind of help manage some of the bumps and bruises that he has. But, I mean, this guy is a warrior.”
Andrews has missed a handful of games since becoming the Patriots’ starting center in 2016, most notably after blood clots were discovered in his lungs in 2019. However, he has fought his way back onto the field each time.
This year, Andrews’ importance extends beyond his availability. With the Patriots at 3-11 and already eliminated from playoff contention, his job is to keep the troops motivated.
If his media appearances such as Thursday’s are any indication, he is doing what he can to ensure that is a job well done in that regard.
“Sometimes when you get in these positions people say you have nothing to lose. We have everything to lose, because we’re playing this game and you never know when it’s going to get taken from you; you never know when it’s going to end,” he said.
“So, I understand. But everyone says that, ‘Oh you have nothing to lose.’ Someone said that the other day, and it really struck a cord with me because you think about it, you have everything to lose. You want to take advantage of these opportunities, whatever they may be. Representing yourself, your family, your team, the community, whatever it is.”
Andrews did not mention it specifically, but he is also representing his head coach. And Bill Belichick probably is quite happy about that.