Thursday was a very, very eventful day for the Patriots.

New England introduced four new players in wake of its recent spending spree, as Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, Morgan Moses and Robert Spillane all met with the media after Robert Kraft, Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel spoke about the franchise’s latest moves.

But before the Patriots held that busy press conference, the organization took care of a very important order of business.

New England released center David Andrews on the second day of the new NFL year. The designation marked the end of an outstanding run in Foxboro, Mass., where Andrews went from undrafted free agent to team captain and Super Bowl champion on multiple occasions. While the 32-year-old’s best playing days are well behind them, one of Andrews’ most notable ex-teammates nonetheless was surprised to see the Patriots cut bait.

“Patriot legend…played every snap in the preseason in 2015 to earn a spot on the team and turned it into a decade,” Devin McCourty posted to X. “Shocked he didn’t get a chance to try to earn a spot on this team but will always be one of the greats.”

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It remains to be seen if Andrews will continue his playing career with another team. However, Kraft’s glowing statement about the Georgia native suggested retirement was very much on the table.

And whenever Andrews does decide to hang up his pads, it will start the countdown until he receives enshrinement into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

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Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images