New England Patriots Great Julian Edelman: 'Tom Brady Is Like A Rookie QB In The Broadcast Booth"

6 min read
Sep 28, 2024, 8:34 PM
Tom Brady #12 and Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots

Tom Brady #12 and Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

 

New England Patriots great Julian Edelman doesn't have a prediction on when Drake Maye will be named the starter.

The No. 3 overall draft pick entered the 2024 season as the backup to veteran Jacoby Brissett after first-year head coach Jerod Mayo went with the latter over the rookie as the starting quarterback for the Patriots. New England has drastically struggled in the passing game through the first three games of the season, ranking dead last in the NFL with 102.0 passing yards per game. It doesn't help that New England's offensive line is also a mess, allowing a pressure rate of 48.5% — the highest in the NFL.

Despite heightened calls from fans for the Patriots to go with the rookie, Mayo has yet to commit to when New England will exactly go with the rookie quarterback.

"I don't know when he's going to be the starter," says Edelman in a one-on-one interview with RG on behalf of his partnership with Tostitos. "That's for them to make the decision. He needs to be able to show that in practice. He needs to show that in meetings, he needs to show that with his demeanor. If you're going to be the starting quarterback for the Patriots, that's gotta to be seen consistently before you just throw him in and into the fire."

The Super Bowl LIII MVP agrees with the notion that the Patriots may be hesitant to start Maye due to the woeful offensive line situation.

"I think that's a large reason why Jacoby Brissett is not getting any production," says Edelman of the Patriots' offensive line struggles. "He gets on his fifth step and he's got a guy down his throat now. They're depleted there and to give a fair assessment for Jacoby, he can't play his game unless he's protected. Why put someone that has absolutely zero experience on how to execute an NFL offense behind something like that? I think they have a lot of things to work on. They have to work on those things and just try to keep improving to get themselves in the best situation they can moving forward."

 

 

Maye made his NFL debut in the Patriots' Week 3 blowout loss to the New York Jets. While seeing action in mop-up duty, the 22-year-old quarterback completed 4-of-8 passes for 22 passing yards and 12 rushing yards while leading New England into the red zone for the first time all game.

While there were obviously positives and negatives from Maye's debut — he almost threw an interception that was dropped on his first pass — Edelman isn't going to make a big deal out of the rookie's debut drive considering it was in garbage time.

"It's garbage time," says Edelman of Maye's debut against the Jets.

"It was good to see him be able to communicate a play, get to the line of scrimmage, execute a play. But that's like evaluating a quarterback in preseason. That's kind of what he got to see at the end of garbage time in that game. They're not going to show them anything. They know they have to play them (Jets) again. That's a very hard sample size to evaluate."

While the jury is out on when Maye will be named the starter, Edelman's former Patriots running mates — Tom Brady and Bill Belichick — are already off and running in their broadcasting careers. Brady currently serves as the lead analyst for FOX games while Belichick is playing the role of analyst for a number of television gigs, including on Inside the NFL, the ManningCast and the Pat McAfee Show.

Although Brady has seen some criticism from observers for his vanilla analysis, Edelman thinks his former quarterback is doing a good job in his debut season as a television analyst.

"I think he's doing great," says Edelman of Brady's work in the broadcast booth. "He hasn't had the opportunity to call any great games. You can tell he's gotten more comfortable. It's not easy — it's kind of like a rookie quarterback going in and having to identify. You have to take the personnel group in your play, break the huddle, go to the line of scrimmage, identify their front, you identify the safeties. He's learning that in the booth now. It's tough.

I'll be a lot more excited when he gets into a close game and you get to hear the quarterback's mindset when he's down a certain amount of points or a fourth quarter drive.That's probably his forte, you know? I'm excited and he's been killing it."

One Patriots legend who hasn't received such criticism is Belichick. The greatest football coach ever has brought over his X's and O's knowledge from 50 years of coaching to TV screens and has absolutely excelled in the role.

"Bill is great. Bill addressed the team for 50 minutes every day in front and broke down football. You think he's not going to be able to address the audience on how to break down football for the listener? It's very different than how a lot of people do it, how a lot of head coaches do it. A lot of head coaches come in, you have a team meeting in the morning, it's 'Hoorah!,' 10 minutes, you go offense and defense. Bill, for 15 minutes every morning, would break down the keys of the game, all three phases that he believed. Then you would go into your offense, defense and special teams meeting after that. He knows football."

Edelman says that while he hasn't had contact with Belichick, he believes his former head coach will make a return to coaching next season. Belichick is 15 wins away (333) from surpassing Miami Dolphins legend, Don Shula (347), for the most victories ever by a head coach.

"I've had no contact with him, I think he's scared of me," says Edelman while laughing. “I'm scared of him, I don't have any insight, but he's definitely coming back. Coach is back — he's coming back. He might have a good team too. That's what he was born to do. He's too good at coaching to stay away from it. As a football historian, you don't think he wants to be the best coach of all time with the most wins ever?”

 

DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Sports Reporter

DJ Siddiqi is a sports reporter who focuses on football, basketball and pro wrestling. He has covered some of the biggest sporting events, including the NBA Finals and Wrestlemania and often interviews high-profile athletes on a weekly basis. Siddiqi has interviewed the likes of Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Hawk and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His previous experience includes working as a lead NBA writer at CBS Sports and 247 Sports in addition to working as a beat reporter covering the NFL and the Denver Broncos at Bleacher Report. Follow Siddiqi for exclusive one-on-one interviews and analysis on key topics in sports

Interests:
NFL
NBA
NCAAF
NCAAB
NHL
Travel
Interviews

More RG Exclusive Interviews

04/01/2025
"It Was Really Exciting": Danny Stutsman on Meeting With Dallas Cowboys at NFL Combine
NFL Draft prospect and former Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman names the teams he met with at the NFL Combine and how the Dallas Cowboys meeting stood out to him
"It Was Really Exciting": Danny Stutsman on Meeting With Dallas Cowboys at NFL Combine
03/27/2025
“Saquon Changed the Conversation About Running Backs” – Barry Sanders on Barkley’s Impact, Mount Rushmore of RBs
Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders details how the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley has brought value back to running backs and names his Mount Rushmore for the position
“Saquon Changed the Conversation About Running Backs” – Barry Sanders on Barkley’s Impact, Mount Rushmore of RBs
03/26/2025
“They Both Want to Win”: Patrick Surtain II Praises Bo Nix-Sean Payton Duo Driving Broncos’ Resurgence
Patrick Surtain II highlights how Bo Nix and Sean Payton’s shared mindset sparked a playoff return for the Broncos
“They Both Want to Win”: Patrick Surtain II Praises Bo Nix-Sean Payton Duo Driving Broncos’ Resurgence
03/19/2025
Braden Fiske on Los Angeles Rams' Decision to Move On From Cooper Kupp: "Obviously, It Was Tough”
Braden Fiske opens up on the Los Angeles Rams' decision to move on from Cooper Kupp and his thoughts on the addition of Davante Adams
Braden Fiske on Los Angeles Rams' Decision to Move On From Cooper Kupp:  "Obviously, It Was Tough”
03/17/2025
“We’re Heading in the Right Direction”: Patrick Surtain II Believes the Broncos Are Super Bowl Contenders in 2025
Patrick Surtain II details why the Denver Broncos can develop into a Super Bowl contender and the biggest thing he's learned from head coach Sean Payton
“We’re Heading in the Right Direction”: Patrick Surtain II Believes the Broncos Are Super Bowl Contenders in 2025
03/04/2025
CeeDee Lamb on Cowboys Potentially Adding Receiver Through NFL Draft: “Just Looking For a Great Compliment”
Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb gives his thoughts on the 2025 NFL Draft and the wide receiver prospects who stand out most to him
CeeDee Lamb on Cowboys Potentially Adding Receiver Through NFL Draft: “Just Looking For a Great Compliment”
03/02/2025
“I Knew I Wanted to Be a Quarterback”: Justin Arth’s Unconventional Path
Justin Arth's journey from YouTube-trained QB to pro football is a testament to perseverance in a game where nothing is guaranteed
“I Knew I Wanted to Be a Quarterback”: Justin Arth’s Unconventional Path
02/27/2025
“Go About It and Attack It”: Jim Harbaugh on Chargers' Approach to 2025 NFL Draft, Connections to Michigan
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on his approach to the NFL Combine and NFL Draft, whether or not he leans towards Michigan Wolverines alumni and his thoughts on the College Football Playoff system
“Go About It and Attack It”: Jim Harbaugh on Chargers' Approach to 2025 NFL Draft, Connections to Michigan
02/24/2025
Peyton Manning Says Denver Broncos Will be 'Even Better' Next Year
Peyton Manning makes a bold prediction about the Denver Broncos and gives his thoughts on what they need to get to the next level
Peyton Manning Says Denver Broncos Will be 'Even Better' Next Year
02/18/2025
“We Left That Place Better Than We Found It”: RJ Oben on Notre Dame’s Legacy
RJ Oben’s versatility and relentless work ethic make him a top NFL Draft prospect. Will he be Notre Dame’s next big defensive star in the NFL?
“We Left That Place Better Than We Found It”: RJ Oben on Notre Dame’s Legacy

NFL Writers

Crissy Froyd
Crissy Froyd
Football Reporter

Crissy Froyd is a sports reporter of over 10 years who specializes in quarterback analysis at the high school, college and NFL level. She was mentored by Mike Leach and learned the Air Raid offense and quarterback evaluation largely under the legendary head coach. Froyd has appeared in and worked with multiple publications, including USA TODAY SMG, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and Saturday Down South. She also covers canine journalism for Showsight Magazine and resides in Wisconsin with her three dogs -- two German Shepherds named Faxon and Bo Nix, and one Siberian Husky named Stetson "Balto" Bennett.

Meet All Our Experts