For wide receiver Julian Edelman, the reason to re-join the New England Patriots was plain and simple -- his quarterback.
“It would be very tough to leave [Tom Brady], because he’s my dawg,” Edelman told reporters Thursday on a conference call, via WEEI.
Brady and Edelman have grown together over the years, and after Edelman was Brady’s top receiving target in 2013, the close bond between quarterback and wide receiver is evident.
"He let it be known that he would love to have me back and part of the team," Edelman said. "Tom is also a good friend of mine. He’s one of the guys who helped me develop into a professional in this league. He also told me that I have to take care of myself and my family. He kind of mentored me.
"It was definitely a very tough decision that you have to deal with. He would have been right there behind if I would have left or if I would have stayed there."
Edelman also showed gratitude in that his new deal provides him with some insurance -- being of the four-year variety -- something most seventh-round picks in the NFL can't say they have.
“It’s good to have a little security and knowing that a team believes in you enough to pay you that kind of stuff, and a little security on how many years I’ll be here,” Edelman said. “It’s good to be back with this franchise.”
For Brady, it's all gravy. It was hard to imagine the Patriots letting his top receiver walk two years in a row, though nothing surprises us anymore with Bill Belichick & Co.
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For Brady, it's all gravy. It was hard to imagine the Patriots letting his top receiver walk two years in a row, though nothing surprises us anymore with Bill Belichick & Co.
Follow David @davidheim12
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
