2021 NFL free agency: David Andrews reportedly returning to Patriots’ offensive line

David Andrews will remain in the middle for the New England Patriots.

The 28-year-old center has agreed to re-sign with New England after testing free agency, as first reported Thursday night by NFL Network’s Kim Jones.

It is a four-year deal for the four-time team captain, sources told Field Yates of ESPN.

Andrews has started 78 games between his regular seasons and postseasons with New England since arriving as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia in 2015. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Andrews recently completed a three-year, $9 million extension and stands as a member of the franchise’s All-Decade roster next to Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer.

Sidelined for the entirety of 2019 due to blood clots in his lungs, Andrews went on to start 12 contests and play 72 percent of the offensive snaps for the 7-9 Patriots last season. He spent three weeks on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair the fractured thumb on his snapping hand, and was ruled out in advance of the finale due to a calf injury.

New England agreed to terms with center Ted Karras on a one-year contract in the hours leading up to the new league year at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Karras, a 2016 Patriots sixth-round selection from Illinois, played every offensive down during his lone year with the Miami Dolphins after starting 15 games in Andrews’ absence.