Wednesday was a fairly interesting day for former Patriots center Bryan Stork. In a span of 12 hours’ contradicting rumors were swirling that he would be cut, traded and retire.
In the early morning Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Twitter that the Patriots planned to release him. Later in the day after hearing this news, the Redskins were quickly able to strike a deal with the Patriots for Stork before he could land on waivers.
It is unknown if the Redskins knew that Stork was contemplating retirement. Last season, the Patriots placed Stork on the short-term injured reserve list one day before the Patriots’ regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the time he was dealing with a neck injury as well as a concussion. Throughout training camp, he had been hampered by “a muscle-related issue in his neck.” Stork ended up starting only six games in 2015 after emerging as the Patriots’ starting center just four weeks into his rookie season in 2014. He started every game from week five on including Super Bowl XLIX and played a pivotal role during their playoff journey.
Thursday morning the trade was officially announced and Stork had informed the Redskins that he would report to team headquarters this weekend.
Kory Lichtensteiger has been the starting center for the Skins during the last two seasons, but has struggled at times and you can never have enough versatile linemen
It will be a challenge for Stork to learn the system and the offense in just a few days, but Coach Gruden has faith in him. “He’s played some football and with the greatest quarterback ever, Tom Brady, and he trusts him and he’s another good football player we could possibly add to our football team,” said Coach Gruden in practice on Thursday.
How does this impact the Patriots?
David Andrews becomes the heavy favorite to win the Patriots’ starting center position.
Andrews did a great job filling in for Stork last season while he was sidelined. Josh Kline is now a roster lock and will assume the backup role as he recovers from off season shoulder surgery. He was very serviceable for the Pats last year while playing in 14 games and starting at either left or right guard in 13 of those games.
Jimmy Garoppolo the starting Quarterback for the Patriots during the first four weeks of the regular season said, "It's tough. It's that time of year. There's a lot of movement between teams and players and everything. It's tough to see one of your guys go like that. That's the business, I guess." Similarly to Garoppolo, Stork was one of New England’s earlier selections in the 2014 draft.
