Patriots Insider Floats Potential Key Addition For New England

There might be a path for the Patriots to add a high-level David Andrews replacement.

New England needs a new starting center after releasing Andrews last week. Mike Vrabel and company already roster a few candidates who could take on the role, but they might look into external options as they try to create the best offensive line possible in front of Drake Maye.

One of those options outside of Foxboro, Mass., could be Garrett Bradbury, who doesn’t appear to have a future in Minnesota.

“The Vikings plan to release Bradbury if a trade can’t be worked out, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and it seems unlikely a team will want to take on his $4.9 million base salary,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday. “So should Bradbury become a free agent in the coming days, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Patriots sign him.”

Bradbury entered the NFL with high expectations after he was selected 18th overall in 2019. While Pro Football Focus ranked him the 27th-best center in the league last season, the 29-year-old was exceptionally reliable, playing every single offensive snap for a Vikings team that went 14-3 in the regular season.

The North Carolina State product probably wouldn’t be a total game-changer in New England. However, if Bradbury becomes available, it’s easy to see a scenario where the Patriots deem him better than any center option they currently have.