Former Patriots Fourth-Round Pick Struggling in Houston Sends Emotional Message Like a Plea to Return to New England: “New England built me. Not just as a player — but as a man.”
HOUSTON — Some stories are not just about snap counts or box scores. For Jake Andrews, the 2025 season with the Houston Texans was not simply a new chapter in his career — it was a journey that made him realize the true value of the place that once believed in him: the New England Patriots.
Selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft under Bill Belichick, Andrews was viewed as a long-term developmental option at center. His football intelligence, ability to read defenses, and disciplined approach made him a worthwhile investment in Foxborough.
A knee injury in 2024 slowed his development. During the 2025 offseason, the Patriots decided to release him amid roster restructuring. It was a strategic decision, but for many fans, it still left a sense of regret about a player who had significant untapped potential.

In Houston, Andrews received more playing opportunities — logging 1,025 snaps and starting 15 games during the 2025 season. But opportunity did not translate into a breakthrough. He struggled in pass protection, processing blitz packages, and maintaining consistency at center. Several evaluations described his performance as underwhelming.
However, what caught the Patriots community’s attention was not just the statistics. It was the emotional message Andrews shared with those close to him after completing a challenging season in Texas:
“New England built me. Not just as a player — but as a man. You don’t realize what home means until you’re no longer there. Foxborough will always be home to me.”
For Patriots Nation, those words are not vague nostalgia. They represent recognition of the culture, discipline, and environment that helped shape a young player’s identity. In an NFL defined by constant movement, not everyone who leaves continues to carry that connection.
Many have quietly interpreted the statement as a subtle plea to return to the Patriots — the place that shaped who he is. Houston may be Jake Andrews’ present. But for Patriots fans, one thing is clearer than ever: his heart still belongs to Foxborough. And sometimes, comebacks begin with words just like these.
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