New England Patriots: 5 players now the face of the organization in 2020
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is the heart of the team
The New England Patriots offense will be different without Tom Brady at the helm, which is obvious. But, as long as there is a Julian Edelman suiting up and taking the field, Cam Newton and crew will have a chance to make things happen.
Coming off a season in which he caught 100 receptions for 1,117 yards, the battle-tested 34-year old wide receiver is motivated to prove in 2020 that he can and still will be a factor without Brady.
In leading a wide receiver group that is even less experienced after the release of Mohamed Sanu, Edelman will be a player the younger receivers will learn from and an offensive playmaker Cam Newton will depend on.
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While Julian Edelman was not named a team captain, he is probably the most important player on the offensive side of the football. As long as he is buying in and motivated, the offense should have some energy on the field, especially with the talent of Cam Newton under center.
Appearing on the “Greg Hill Show” on Friday, Edelman really displayed his team-first attitude in praising Newton after he was named one of the offensive team captains.
"“He came in with an energy. He came in with a purpose. He came in as a natural leader and that’s what you want to see at that position,” Edelman said, via NESN. “It’s one of those things where you’re excited for it because now we can get it going.”"
With no preseason games, Patriots fans have yet to see the chemistry Newton and Julian Edelman has established, but with how motivated the new quarterback-wide receiver duo are, that connection will stand out almost immediately once the season starts on Sept. 13.
What will also standout will be the value of a player like Julian Edelman. Not only is he a clutch, reliable playmaker, he is the definition of what it means to be a New England Patriots player. He is the fuel that makes the engine go and should inspire the young players like N’Keal Harry, Gunner Olszewski and/or Jakobi Meyers to bring it every snap on the field.