Garrett Bradbury has not needed to wait long to find his next NFL gig. The veteran center was officially released by the Vikings on Monday, and he now has a deal lined up with the Patriots. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Bradbury is heading to New England on a two-year contract. The pact has a maximum value of $12MM and includes $3.8MM in guarantees. The former first-rounder will be tasked with handling starting duties with the Patriots.
Bradbury started all 88 of his appearances during his time with Minnesota. The Vikings’ flurry of moves early in free agency included a deal for Ryan Kelly, however, and that pact indicated Bradbury would be on the move. Last week, it was learned the team would look to find a trade partner; as expected, no suitors were interested in taking on the remainder of his pact. The 29-year-old was designated a post-June 1 release on Monday.
That left Bradbury free to join a new team at any time, and to little surprise he has elected to join the Patriots. On Sunday, Schefter’s colleague Mike Reiss wrote New England represented a team to watch with respect to adding the NC State product. The Patriots’ decision to move on from David Andrews created a vacancy at the center spot, and this move will fill it for at least the short term.
Andrews operated as the Patriots’ starter each year since 2015 (with the exception of 2019, when he did not play). The possibility of a release was raised at the Combine, and New England when forward with it last week. That decision added to the questions facing a Pats O-line already in need of other starters, but Bradbury will now occupy a first-team role in Andrews’ place.
New England pursued Drew Dalman, the top center in the 2025 free agent class. A Patriots deal could not be worked out, though, as Dalman opted to join the Bears on a lucrative three-year pact. With the likes of Dalman, Kelly and Josh Myers off the market, it appeared the draft would be needed for New England to add a starter in the middle. The Bradbury release opened the door to a quick signing, though.
In 2022, Bradbury graded out as PFF’s 11th-best center. In each of his other campaigns, however, his evaluations have placed him between 23rd and 29th at the positions. Expectations will thus be tempered upon arrival in New England, a team which can now turn its attention to other offensive line spots until at least the draft.
He’s better than what we had last year with the mishmash of centers
Not necessarily
A legit starting O-lineman??? Didn’t think they were gonna actually sign anyone.
Careful with the “legit” term there savise. We will see if Drake calls him legit when he ends up in his lap 10 times a game. Good luck.
Well, he started 17 games last year. More than the Pats had anywhere I on the line.
Oline man yes. Legit debatable . Vikings have been looking to move off him for a few years now.
I’ve seen Patriots fans clamoring for this, but I’ve never seen a Vikings fan be anything but unhappy with Bradbury. He’s turned out to be an OK run blocker, but he’s been a mediocre pass blocker his whole career. I guess at this point he’s a younger, more durable option, but not a guy you’re thrilled to have as an answer at center.
Awful pass blocker, better than Brown but still trash. This oline is complete garbage.
Isn’t this the guy that Dexter Lawerence said gives him more hugs than his gf? Power rushing has destroyed this guy…doesn’t help teach a young qb learn to confidently step up in the pocket when under pressure.
I was hoping Strange could compete for the center spot but after this he looks to be slotted for the LG competition with Robinson and Sow.
Guarantees signal a 1 yr trail though.
The guarantee is small enough that they still could compete him. Unlikely, but possible.