It truly is a new era in New England under new coach Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have released long-snapper Joe Cardona. In doing so, they've officially moved on from the final piece of their two-decade-long dynasty.
New England had previously released both center David Andrews and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley this offseason, and also let cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. walk away in free agency. These were the final five players left on the roster that had won Super Bowl LIII with the team in 2019.
Cardona was drafted by the Patriots out of Navy in the fifth round (pick No. 166) of the 2015 NFL draft, and spent the last 10 seasons as their long snapper on special teams. This past weekend, however, New England used one of their two seventh-round draft picks on Vanderbilt long-snapper Julian Ashby, all but signaling Cardona's tenure with New England coming to an end.
The Patriots, with a truly re-vamped roster, begin rookie minicamp next Friday, May 9.
