New England Patriots - NESN.com
The writing was on the wall for New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona.
The Patriots released Cardona on Tuesday just days after they surprisingly selected his replacement in Vanderbilt’s Julian Ashby in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cardona, 33, was the longest-tenured player on New England’s roster and the Patriots parting ways with him further signals the changing of the guard taking place in Foxboro this offseason. Cardona spent the last 10 seasons with the franchise and was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams.
“Thank you for your commitment and dedication, Joe,” the Patriots posted on their X account.
The Patriots drafted Cardona in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and the Navy product became a staple of New England’s special teams unit for a decade. Cardona was also lauded for his leadership both on and off the field and was named a captain for the first time last season.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Cardona “said his goodbyes to teammates over the last day or so” as the Patriots make another change at the start of the Mike Vrabel era.
Cardona is hardly the only longtime veteran to leave New England this offseason. The Patriots also released David Andrews and Ja’Whaun Bentley while Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise Jr. both departed in free agency.
The Patriots currently don’t have anyone on their roster who was on the team when they last won a Super Bowl.
