Tom Brady: Julian Edelman Might Be Patriots’ ‘Most Dependable Player’

Tom Brady can’t say enough good things about Julian Edelman.

The relationship between the New England Patriots quarterback and wide receiver has only strengthened over their time together, and it’s clear Brady has unlimited trust in Edelman. Maybe that’s why it should be no surprise the Patriots struggled offensively without Edelman in the lineup Sunday before holding on for a 17-16 win over the New York Jets.

“Julian’s become really one of our most dependable players, if not our most dependable player,” Brady said Monday morning on WEEI radio. “There’s a reason why Julian plays as much as he does, because he’s always doing the right thing, he’s always lined up in the right spot, he understands the urgency and the timing in the passing game, he’s got great anticipation.”

Edelman, who missed Sunday’s game with a concussion, is Brady’s clear-cut No. 1 choice at wide receiver. The 28-year-old has totaled 92 catches this season for 972 yards, one year after notching career highs of 105 catches and 1,056 yards in 2013.

“He and I have played so much football together,” Brady continued. “There’s a lot of things that you can talk about over the course of the week, and then when the game happens those things kind of get thrown out and you react and you anticipate and you be a football player. And Julian’s really that kind of player.”