Julian Edelman is famous for being a one-team man. The former NFL wide receiver played his entire career as a football player for the New England Patriots. His loyalty to the Boston franchise was so great that when Tom Brady asked him to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with him, Edelman refused.
The Patriots drafted him during the seventh round in 2009. From then on, he was on the roster for 12 seasons, winning three Super Bowls as a playmaker and a return specialist. While leaving the Patriots never crossed his mind, there were always talks about Tom Brady moving on. Edelman revealed details about such a conversation during his appearance on Maxx Crosby’s podcast.
He would joke around about leaving with me for like four years, and then he left. Julian Edelman via The Rush with Maxx podcast
Brady left to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He wasn’t the only one who switched allegiances. Brady took All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown with him to Florida.
Despite leaving New England, Brady wanted to surround himself with familiar faces. He then rang Edelman, asking him to come join in Tampa, which he declined.
He hit me up when he left, and he goes, ‘Hey Babe, do you want me to get you down here?’ and I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m good, bro, I’m a one-team man.' Julian Edelman via The Rush with Maxx podcast
Edelman holds Brady to a great standard. However, he did not want to leave the Patriots. Edelman suffered a knee injury the next season when Brady left. He retired in April 2021 after playing 12 seasons in the NFL. From Edelman’s comments, it appears he would have stayed in New England even if the injuries did not derail his career.
Boston is Julian Edelman’s second home
Tom Brady left the franchise to distance himself from the legacy of Bill Belichick. During their final year together, Edelman did not see much game time, and even though he could have gone with his friend, the Super Bowl LIII MVP decided he would stay in Boston.
Boston’s the best town, man. I’ve got a lot of great relationships with the Celtics—that’s the cool thing about it. It’s pretty cool, and it’s kind of competitive. If the Bruins go out and win one, it’s all, ‘Nah, we gotta go get one,' it was love, but also like, you can’t be out-showing us. Julian Edelman via 98.5 The Sports Hub
Furthermore, Edelman said the team he supported would have to be from New England. The fans of Brady and Edelman will once again witness their partnership when they begin their broadcasting career on FOX in the 2024 season. It could bring some element of nostalgia from their moments together in Boston.
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