Kyle Van Noy is returning to the New England Patriots after one season in Miami. Steve Luciano/Associaqted Press
The New England Patriots continued their busy offseason by reaching a deal Thursday night to bring back center David Andrews, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Andrews, who has been with the Patriots since making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2015, reportedly agreed to a four-year contract.
The move comes less than 24 hours after linebacker Kyle Van Noy announced on Twitter that he’s returning to the Patriots on a two-year, $13 million deal.
“Pats Nation, I’m back. Let’s get it!” Van Noy said in the video, which also featured an image of the Patriots team logo.
Van Noy left for Miami in free agency before the 2020 season, signing a four-year, $51 million deal. He had six sacks in 14 games in 2020, but his contract made him a salary cap casualty and he was released last week by the Dolphins.
New England also added more depth to its run defense by reaching an agreement with former Packers defensive end Montravius Adams. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed that the one-year contract has a maximum value of $2.5 million. Adams appeared in 45 games in four seasons for Green Bay, with 44 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
The Patriots also traded tight end Ryan Izzo to the Houston Texans for a 2022 seventh-round draft pick.
Van Noy joined the Patriots in 2016 after spending his first two NFL seasons in Detroit. He came into his own over the next three seasons, with 16 1/2 sacks, starting 43 games and becoming an integral part of a New England defense that shined on the way to Super Bowl wins in the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
He should be in line to resume his previous role playing on the edge alongside linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who is returning after opting out in 2020, and newly acquired edge rusher Matt Judon.
AFTER 11 NFL seasons, New England safety Patrick Chung announced his retirement on Thursday.
The 33-year-old strong safety opted out of last season because of COVID-19. He played 10 seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls and finishing his career with 778 tackles. A second-round pick (No. 34 overall) by the Patriots in 2009, Chung played in New England from 2009-12 and from 2014-19. He spent one year with the Eagles, in 2013.
Chung announced his decision on his Instagram, writing, “I want to say thank you to the Patriots organization, my family, my fans, coaches, just everyone. I’m in tears writing this but I’ve decided to hang up the cleats. … You will forever be family. But it’s time to start a new life. Patriot until I die!!! Love you all.”
Chung’s second stint with the Patriots was even better than his first. In 2015, Coach Bill Belichick said the Patriots were using Chung differently and it better suited his skill set. By then, he was being used in the box while also matching up with opposing tight ends. Chung’s return culminated with three Super Bowl championships.
Chung ends his career having appeared in 153 games, with 521 tackles, 11 interceptions and 4 1/2 sacks.
The Patriots do seem prepared for the loss of Chung. They drafted strong safety Kyle Dugger last year and also signed Adrian Phillips. This offseason, they signed Jalen Mills, who played strong safety last season. Free safety Devin McCourty also returns.
Several of Chung’s former teammates took to social media to wish him well.
“Love you big bro and everything you’ve done for anyone you’ve ever been around!!!” linebacker Dont’a Hightower wrote under Chung’s post. “Appreciate the rings, the ox tails, and the countless (beers) lol. Red Coat coming soon!”
The red coat is a reference to the jacket inductees in the Patriots Hall of Fame receive. Chung was named a member of the team’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
THE PATRIOTS are going to stick with Nick Folk as their kicker.
New England agreed to terms with the veteran on a one-year, $1.6 million deal with a maximum value of $2.5 million, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Folk was rock solid last season, going 26 for 28 on field goals and 30 for 33 on extra-point attempts. He proved clutch, too, nailing a pair of game-winning kicks from 50-plus yards.
Though he’s 36 years old, Folk wasn’t ready to retire.
“There’s no inkling in me that wants to stop,” Folk said in December. “I enjoy this. I enjoy the guys, I enjoy my teammates playing football. It’s a lot of fun. I enjoy kicking. So I want to keep going, want to keep playing … I still have a lot of leg in me.”
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