With quarterback Tom Brady leaving New England, along with several changes to the team’s wide receiver corps, can receiver Julian Edelman maintain his production without Brady?
Edelman turns 34 on Friday, and the “Iron Man,” as Patriots radio color commentator Scott Zolak calls him, is preparing to enter his 11th season with the team. Edelman also enters the season as the second longest tenured player on the team, only behind special teams standout Matthew Slater, who was drafted in 2008.
But what can we expect out of Edelman as he is without his telepathic partner and best friend behind center?
The roles have seemingly reversed for Edelman this time around. When he entered the league he was a young, wide eyed rookie who was in awe of the team’s quarterback. Edelman made it his mission to become Brady’s go-to guy. Now, with second year quarterback Jarrett Stidham seemingly taking the reins, it’s he who is likely learning from Edelman. Stidham will have to develop chemistry with Edelman, which takes time.
Another element that could factor into Edelman’s production in 2020 are the other offensive players around him. Luckily, the offensive line has stayed in tact thus far. Edelman however will have several new faces lining up next to him. These new acquisitions include receivers Marqise Lee and Damiere Byrd and tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. On top of new those new acquisitions, Edelman has second year receiver Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski breathing down his neck for a spot on the field.
In 2019, Edelman was targeted 153 times by Brady, which ranked fourth in the league. He caught 100 passes for 1,117 yards and totaled six touchdown. In his 10 seasons in the league, Edelman has only played in all 16 games three different times, but he went over 1,000 receiving yards in each of those three seasons.
Edelman began his professional career as a kick and punt returner. Actually, Edelman returned a kick-off for a touchdown on the very first play he got to hold the ball in the 2009 preseason against the Eagles. Edelman holds the team record for most punt return touchdowns with four. He ranks second in team history with 599 receptions, only 73 short of Wes Welker’s leading 672 catches.
Surely if Edelman can stay healthy that team record is not far from reality at all.
But let’s be real: Edelman is not getting any younger, he’s without his quarterback of 10 seasons, and he has to help a 24-year old second year quarterback be successful. It’s going to be a tough slog for the veteran receiver. Don’t count Edelman out just yet.
Edelman is the ultimate competitor. He always has been. That’s why New England fans love him. That’s why Belichick was willing to take a chance and allow a college quarterback-turned-receiver to be a part of the 53-man roster in his rookie season.
What Edelman will need, however, is help. On top of staying healthy and building a chemistry with his new quarterback, Edelman will need returning receivers N’Keal Harry and Mohammed Sanu to help lighten the load.
In his decade-long run with Brady, Edelman took a lot of lessons away, whether it was preparation, work ethic, or treatment of the body. But, one of the biggest takeaways that shows up every Sunday is the mentality that someone is trying to replace him every single snap.
Edelman should once again lead the team in receptions. He will look exactly as he as in the past 10 seasons: quick and elusive with a nasty attitude. He likely won’t be a touchdown machine, per usual. However, now more so than ever, he will be a massive part of the offense.
It will be refreshing seeing Edelman blast out of the tunnel during pregame introductions and sprint across the field.
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