Patriots reportedly sign center Garrett Bradbury to two-year deal
The New England Patriots created a void at center last week when the team released veteran David Andrews. The Pats reportedly filled that vacancy by signing Garrett Bradbury to a two-year deal on Tuesday.
The Patriots and Bradbury reportedly agreed to a two-year deal that could be worth up to $12 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Bradbury was released by the Vikings on Monday after spending his first six NFL seasons in Minnesota.
Who is Garrett Bradbury?
Bradbury was drafted by Minnesota with the 18th overall pick in 2019 and has started 88 games during his NFL career. He started all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024, though his rankings have dipped over the last couple of seasons.
Bradbury was the 10th-ranked center in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2022, but he ranked 31st in 2023 and 33rd in 2024 with a 62.1 grade. On a more positive note, he was the 14th-best run-blocking center last season. On a less positive note, his 48.2 pass-blocking grade had him ranked 55th out of 64 centers in the league.
Bradbury is seemingly on a downward trend, which is what prompted the Vikings to sign Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly in free agency. But he could provide some valuable depth along the line for the Patriots, and also has a lot more experience at center than any of New England's in-house options.
Patriots in-house options at center
While Bradbury will take over as the starting center in front of Drake Maye, the Patriots have a few other options already on the roster.
Ben Brown is back in the mix in 2025, after he started 10 games for the Patriots last season in place of the injured Andrews. He came to New England during the regular season after the team claimed him off the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.
Converted guard Cole Strange also got some run at center late last season, and but could move back to his natural guard position with Bradbury now a part of the New England offensive line. Strange is also a big injury risk, as he's been limited to just 31 games over his three NFL seasons due to a litany of ailments.
As is stands now, the Patriots have a starting offensive line of Vederian Lowe at left tackle, Layden Robinson at left guard, Bradbury at center, Mike Onwenu at right guard, and free-agent signing Morgan Moses at right tackle. While center and the right side appear to be set, there is still a lot of work for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots front office left to do this offseason.
It's imperative for the Patriots to improve the offensive line after New England quarterbacks were sacked 54 times last season, and there is still a giant hole to fill at left tackle. While he had his struggles the last two seasons, at least adding Bradbury gives the Patriots an established player to snap the ball to Maye next season.
