Julian Edelman discloses response he had for Tom Brady when asked to join the Buccaneers in 2020

Brady left to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. He wasn’t the only one who switched allegiances. Brady took All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown with him to Florida. 

Despite leaving New England, Brady wanted to surround himself with familiar faces. He then rang Edelman, asking him to come join in Tampa, which he declined.

He hit me up when he left, and he goes, ‘Hey Babe, do you want me to get you down here?’ and I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m good, bro, I’m a one-team man.' Julian Edelman via The Rush with Maxx podcast

Edelman holds Brady to a great standard. However, he did not want to leave the Patriots. Edelman suffered a knee injury the next season when Brady left. He retired in April 2021 after playing 12 seasons in the NFL. From Edelman’s comments, it appears he would have stayed in New England even if the injuries did not derail his career.

Boston is Julian Edelman’s second home

Tom Brady left the franchise to distance himself from the legacy of Bill Belichick. During their final year together, Edelman did not see much game time, and even though he could have gone with his friend, the Super Bowl LIII MVP decided he would stay in Boston.

Boston’s the best town, man. I’ve got a lot of great relationships with the Celtics—that’s the cool thing about it. It’s pretty cool, and it’s kind of competitive. If the Bruins go out and win one, it’s all, ‘Nah, we gotta go get one,' it was love, but also like, you can’t be out-showing us. Julian Edelman via 98.5 The Sports Hub

Furthermore, Edelman said the team he supported would have to be from New England. The fans of Brady and Edelman will once again witness their partnership when they begin their broadcasting career on FOX in the 2024 season. It could bring some element of nostalgia from their moments together in Boston.