Mike Vrabel, head coach for the New England Patriots, explained why they picked Frederick Julian Ashby II and released veteran Joe Cardona(just three days later). On May 13, Vrabel shared with Pats Pulpit, New England Patriots News, “In (Julian) Ashby, they found what they believe to be a suitable long-term replacement for the 33-year-old(Joe Cardona).” The Patriots gave up on their longest-tenured long snapper(10 NFL seasons). They drafted Cardona in 2015 as a fifth-round 166th pick. On April 30, 2025, the Patriots released their veteran long snapper, and within 10 days, on May 10, 2025, Joe Cardona was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their linebacker. Mike Vrabel shared vital differences between 22-year-old Frederick Julian Ashby II and 33-year-old Joe Cardona at a press conference a week back,“I think anytime that you have to move on from players that have been at a place and have been a part of successful football teams, it just comes down to our ability to acquire a player that we believe in strongly. We just felt like that was the best decision to go with Julian(Ashby). We are going to have two young kickers that we are going to be trying out, and after working Julian out, I think it became evident that that was probably what was in the best interest of the team.”Vrabel talked about Joe Cardona’s release from the Patriots, “I have a lot of respect for Joe and what he’s done here. We tried to do that in the most respectful way possible and give him an opportunity to go and catch on.”Fans react to former New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona representing the Miami Dolphins after 10 long seasons with the PatriotsAdam Schefter, NFL Insider, took to his X to share, “An in-AFC-East move: the Dolphins have signed former Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, who spent his first 10 NFL seasons in New England.” One fan said, “Patriots fans are shaking”, while another called it “Ground breaking move.”When the New England Patriots released Joe Cardona, X users couldn’t help but react to it. One fan wrote, “The last Brady-era Patriots player, I believe”, another shared, “A true end of a era 💔”, a third fan pointed out, “Damn should’ve let him coach up the new guy first.”Miami Dolphins' rookie long snapper Kneeland Hibbert was released a day after Joe Cardona was hired by the Dolphins. Such is fate. A rookie replaced Joe Cardona at the New England Patriots, and Cardona replaced a rookie at the Miami Dolphins. Also read: Travis Kelce attends the Amazon MGM Studios 2025 Upfront at Beacon Theatre with brother Jason Kelce | NFL News - The Times of India