Overview

• Joe Cardona, the Patriots' longest-tenured player and a two-time Super Bowl champion, was officially released on April 29, 2025.
• Cardona's release follows the drafting of long snapper Julian Ashby, signaling a shift toward younger talent under coach Mike Vrabel.
• This decision severs the last active player connection to the Patriots' championship teams, closing the Belichick-Brady era in Foxborough.
• Releasing Cardona freed $1.094 million in cap space while incurring $500,000 in dead money, reflecting financial and roster considerations.
• Teammates and alumni, including Julian Edelman, paid tribute to Cardona’s decade-long contributions on and off the field, emphasizing his leadership and military service.