Julian Edelman’s IG story sums up Rex Ryan’s praise of Bill Belichick

Sep 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Former New England Patriots Julian Edelman is honored during halftime against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Former New England Patriots Julian Edelman is honored during halftime against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Honestly, where did you expect the New England Patriots to be after 12 weeks of the 2021 season? If you said “leading the AFC East” back in August, even the more optimistic fans would’ve thought you were a little insane.

But here we are. The Patriots’ dominant 36-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday helped them improve to 8-4 and a game ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the division. After a 2020 season that left many believing the direction of the franchise was in a bit of trouble, Bill Belichick has steered New England back on course … somehow in dominating fashion.

With a rookie quarterback. With a mostly different offensive line. With a bit of a revamped defense. With no true number one wide receiver. So when Red Ryan complimented the Patriots’ head coach for “the best” work he’s done in his entire career, we couldn’t disagree.

And we also couldn’t sum it up better than Patriots legend Julian Edelman, who nowadays finds himself immersed in all of the most pertinent/relevant topics surrounding the team.

Julian Edelman responded to Rex Ryan’s praise of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Instagram.

Wait … which part is wild, Jules? That Belichick is achieving the most out of this roster and has won six straight games? Or the fact that former Bills and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is complimenting his former adversary who pretty much sent him into retirement?

Either way? Wild. Edelman knows. He was with the Patriots during Ryan’s runs with New York and Buffalo and has seen some of Belichick’s most reputable coaching masterclasses in person (five Super Bowl appearances in eight years and three victories). And a playoff appearance/advancement past Wild Card weekend would definitely join that highlighted section of Belichick’s resumé.

What else is pretty wild? Belichick got Ryan to say something sensible after the ESPN personality has been put on blast in recent weeks, which included New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s brother publicly calling him out due to some inflammatory criticism.

In the end, they always bow to Belichick and the Patriots anyway, right? Hope everyone had their fun ragging on New England for that 2020 season that really wasn’t even that bad. Two more victories and the Pats are looking at a double-digit win season with a rookie quarterback and a new identity. Yes, possibly Belichick’s best work.