Patriots: Julian Edelman’s IG post is exactly what Pats Nation needs before Week 1

Patriots WR Julian Edelman posted an awesome Instagram ahead of Week 1.

It would be totally understandable if fans in New England were feeling just as anxious as they are excited for the Patriots’ opening game of the 2020 season, which is now just five days away.

After all, it will be the team’s first fixture of the post-Tom Brady era, as the six-time champion left in free agency following a two-decade run under center in Foxborough. The media has been clamoring to know if it’s Brady or head coach Bill Belichick who deserves more credit for the Patriots’ dynasty, and they will soon have their answer, though we would argue the former’s circumstances are markedly more winner-friendly than the latter’s.

The bottom line is that Patriots fans could use any reason to quell their concerns. Like he’s done countless times in the playoffs through the years, wide receiver Julian Edelman came through for them with an awesome Instagram post about the arrival of the new campaign.

How can you not love that? At 34 years old and entering his 12th season in the NFL, Edelman is showing perhaps more fire and desire to get back on the field than ever before, which speaks volumes when you consider that he’s coming off arguably the best season of his career.

Across 16 games (13 starts), Edelman tallied 100 receptions for a career-high 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. To think that he did so while battling a string of injuries throughout the year is remarkable, and is precisely why he’s a fan favorite in New England.

The former seventh-round pick is clearly motivated to replicate similar (if not better) numbers in his first season without Brady throwing his way. Perhaps that has something to do with how he was blindsided by the three-time MVP’s decision to leave the Patriots, but that’s a topic for another day.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1302328178371747842

The rumblings out of training camp indicate that Edelman and Cam Newton have showcased a telling rapport in both practices and scrimmages. Assuming the three-time Pro Bowler stays healthy, Patriots Nation has every reason to believe the ageless wideout will have another big season in 2020.

Up first for New England is a date with the Miami Dolphins, who famously played spoiler to the reigning AFC East champs’ first-round bye aspirations by upsetting them in Week 17 to close out the year.

You’d better believe that Edelman and the Patriots have revenge on their minds leading up to this weekend’s showdown.