By KYLE HIGHTOWER - May. 04, 2021 02:48 PM EDT FILE - New England Patriots center David Andrews prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass., in this Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, file photo. There was a moment when it seemed as if center David Andrews would be adding his name to the list of a key Patriots offensive linemen joining new teams in 2021. He explored possible new suitors in free agency, including the rival Dolphins, but in the end decided to return to the only NFL team he’s played for. After watching the team spend big in free agency and bring in a possible quarterback of the future in Mac Jones, he says he s excited about being part of a rebuilt roster that hopes to turn the page on a 7-9 season.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots
For a brief moment during the first week of free agency it looked like David Andrews was on his way out of Foxborough. After the Patriots signed Ted Karras early on, it seemed to be a signal that Andrews might be following fellow teammate Joe Thuney to a new team. Comments from teammates on social media all seemed to point to his departure, until suddenly, Andrews was back in the mix with New England, assuring the team captain and key cog would remain the man in the middle upfront for the Pats. We re super excited to be back, super excited to see all the new faces we ve added, especially now that the draft just ended, said Andrews on Tuesday morning, meeting with the media via Webex. This is home, it s a special place to me.
Patriots’ David Andrews made it clear he wanted to return to New England: ‘This is home’
Updated 10:17 AM;
Today 10:17 AM
New England Patriots David Andrews kisses the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)AP
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The 28-year-old center didn’t agree to a new deal during the legal tampering period and then sat on the open market for over 24 hours before agreeing to a four-year, $19 million deal to return to New England. It was one of Bill Belichick’s final March deals.
Meet the Patriots’ 2021 draft class: A QB of the future, rebuilding the defense
Updated 7:40 AM;
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The New England Patriots finally went ahead and did it in the 2021 NFL Draft. They drafted a new franchise quarterback in the form of Alabama’s Mac Jones.
Following months of speculation over whether Bill Belichick would sell the Patriots’ draft future (or at least a future first-round pick) for a big-name quarterback, the team stayed back, waited and still landed a quarterback they hope can be the franchise’s future long-time starter.
After using their best draft pick since 2008 on a QB of the future, the Patriots went back to old friend Nick Saban’s Alabama team, trading up to grab top-rated defensive lineman Christian Barmore in the second round to help rebuild their run defense.
The 2021 NFL draft was held April 29 through May 1 and every New England Patriots draft pick has been analyzed here.
After last season s virtual draft, Cleveland played host to festivities this year with a handful of potential draft picks present and socially distanced because of COVID-19.
Here s a pick-by-pick look at how each player New England has selected will fit.
Round 1, No. 15 overall: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
My take: For 21 years, coach Bill Belichick has stressed that two of the most important characteristics he looks for in quarterbacks are accuracy and decision-making. Those are Jones strengths, which is why those who have a background in the team s system such as former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis believed he was the perfect fit among this year s QB prospects.