Two of the greatest receivers in New England Patriots history shared a locker room for four seasons.
Wes Welker played with the Patriots from 2007-2012 and Julian Edelman was drafted in 2009. As soon as Edelman arrived, he was aware of the culture and had to adapt quickly to convert from a quarterback to a wide receiver. Edelman was drafted as an athlete and he started off his career by returning punts and trying to prove himself as a receiver.
Welker, who was similar in stature, was established as one of the league’s most dominant slot receivers. He saw potential in the seventh-rounder out of Kent State and helped mold him into a Super Bowl MVP that carries three championships and countless postseason accolades.
While speaking with NESN’s Doug Kyed, Welker detailed the tough love he provided while playing in New England.
“He was trying to get better,” Welker said. “I would have tried to do the same thing, for sure. He was trying to get better all of the time, and I was probably pretty tough on him because we needed him to step up. He may have a bitter taste in his mouth about that stuff or whatever, but it was all about trying to make our team better and make sure he knows, ‘If you do that, it’s not right. Don’t do that. You’re screwing up my play.’ He was good, and he listened, and he’s done really well for himself.”
Edelman has been Tom Brady’s go-to receiver ever since the 2013 season and it’s very likely that New England wouldn’t have had the success they had over the last decade without him. He has 118 catches, 1,442 yards and five touchdowns in the playoffs alone.
It’s also mind-boggling to look back at his 2019 season and see the numbers he produced while dealing with numerous debilitating injuries. At the age of 33, he recorded 100 catches, 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It’s incredible,” Welker said. “Shoot, the body starts to fail you especially when you start to get to that age. It gets harder and harder to get open. You’re almost using your savviness instead of your skillset. That’s always hard to do. It’s definitely very hard, especially when you start getting into your mid-30s to be able to put up those types of numbers.”
Edelman successfully underwent offseason surgery and should be ready for the 2020 season.
[vertical-gallery id=77566]