New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury said at a press conference on Thursday that he is eager for a fresh start in Foxborough.
A first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of NC State in the 2019 NFL Draft, Bradbury spent his first six seasons with the Vikings before being released on March 17. He signed a two-year deal with the Patriots the next day.
Bradbury said he has no hard feelings, but his release was a wake-up call, and he’s looking forward to proving his worth in New England.
“I had six great years in Minnesota ... It’s a great locker room, [I] built some really good connections there, and it ended, right? That’s the business ... You never want to feel comfortable, but that’s a wake-up call, that’s ‘alright, here we go, that’s how they feel,’ they move on,” Bradbury said.
“There’s no ill will. I’m not bitter towards the Vikings. It’s just a new opportunity for me. I feel like when there’s a change, if you don’t take that opportunity, you’re not going to grow from it, and so it’s more about like, alright, I get to reinvent myself, I get to re-prove myself. And the minute you think you have it figured out, you’re gone.”
Bradbury was drafted by the Vikings with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie and again in his second season. He played in 13 games in 2021, 12 in 2022, and 14 in 2023. In 2024, he finally started a full season again, appearing in all 17 games. He also played in the Vikings’ playoff appearances in 2019, 2022 and 2024.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned [is] that every single day you have to bring it [in the] meeting room, [at] practice, [in the] weight room,” he said. “It’s just new, it’s exciting, it’s a fresh start, new opportunity.”
Bradbury was drafted by the Vikings with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games for the Vikings as a rookie, then again in his sophomore season. He played in 13 games in 2021, 12 in 2022, and 14 in 2023. He finally started a full season for the Vikings again in 2024, playing all 17 games. He also appeared in the Vikings’ playoff appearances in 2019, 2022 and 2024.
While offensive linemen are not known for their receiving prowess, Bradbury has made a name for himself catching tipped passes.
He had a catch for minus 4 yards against the Detroit Lions in 2019, and a catch off a tipped pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019-2020 playoffs that went for 2 yards. Bradbury is most famous for his 21-yard reception against the Green Bay Packers in 2021. After tight end Tyler Conklin was hit by Packers safety Adrian Amos, the ball sailed high into the air.
Bradbury caught it and rumbled from his center position to the Green Bay 13-yard line. Sunday Night Football color commentator Chris Collinsworth compared the catch to the famous “Immaculate Reception” from 1972.
Bradbury and veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses were brought in to bolster a Patriots offensive line that struggled mightily last year. New England ranked 13th in rushing offense with 1,969 yards, though it’s worth noting that quarterback Drake Maye was third on the team in rushing with 421 yards. The Patriots ranked last in the league in passing yards with 3,343 and were 28th in sacks allowed, giving up 52.
Bradbury also steps in to fill the center position previously occupied by David Andrews. Signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Andrews played 10 seasons for the team, appearing in 124 games with 121 starts and winning two Super Bowls. He missed most of the 2024 season, playing just four games due to injury.
Bradbury praised his predecessor in his press conference.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys that have played with him, guys that know him,” Bradbury said. “I have a lot of respect for him. He played a long time in this league, at the same place, in the same city ... I think his play speaks for itself. When you’re the guy at one position in one city for 10 years, you tip your cap to him ... I have nothing but good things and respect to say about a guy like that.”
