When discussing the greatest quarterback-wide receiver duos in NFL history, few partnerships embody championship football quite like Tom Brady and Julian Edelman. The New England Patriots dynasty featured numerous legendary players, but the connection between Brady and Edelman became one of the most reliable and successful partnerships in postseason history.
Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time, while Edelman built his reputation as one of the most clutch playoff receivers the NFL has ever seen. Together, they won three Super Bowls, delivered unforgettable moments, and established a level of trust that made Edelman Brady’s go-to receiver when the stakes were highest.
That championship pedigree earns Brady and Edelman the number-five spot in our Ethical Sports Takes ranking of the greatest QB–WR duos in NFL history.
Regular-Season Success: A Connection Built on Trust
Brady and Edelman were teammates in New England from 2009 through 2019, although Edelman missed the entire 2017 season with an ACL injury.
Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Edelman entered the league as a converted college quarterback from Kent State. Over time, he developed into one of the NFL’s most dependable slot receivers and became a central part of New England’s passing attack.
In 127 regular-season games played alongside Brady, Edelman recorded 580 receptions, 6,311 receiving yards and 35 receiving touchdowns, an impressive body of work for a player who initially entered the league without a clearly defined offensive role.
His breakout season came in 2013, when he recorded 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. In 2019, Brady’s final season in New England, Edelman caught another 100 passes for a career-high 1,117 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The connection was about far more than raw production. Edelman’s quickness, route running and ability to recognize defensive coverages made him an ideal receiver in New England’s precision-based passing offense.
Brady understood where Edelman would be before the ball was even snapped, while Edelman knew how to adjust his routes to find openings in opposing defenses.
Their chemistry was reflected in Brady’s passing efficiency. According to Pro Football Focus, Brady posted a passer rating above 100.0 when targeting Edelman in every season from 2012 through 2015. That consistency demonstrates how effective the partnership became once Edelman established himself as a regular contributor.
Whether it was a quick slant, an option route over the middle or a crucial third-down conversion, Brady repeatedly turned to Edelman to keep New England’s offense moving.
However, their greatest achievements came when the regular season ended.
Postseason Greatness: Brady’s Most Trusted Target
Julian Edelman developed a reputation as one of the greatest postseason receivers in NFL history, and his connection with Brady was central to that success.
Across 19 postseason appearances together, Brady and Edelman’s partnership produced:
- 118 receptions (2nd all-time in NFL playoff history at the time of Edelman’s retirement)
- 1,442 receiving yards (2nd all-time in NFL playoff history at the time of Edelman’s retirement)
- 5 receiving touchdowns
- 3 Super Bowl championships
- 1 Super Bowl MVP award (Edelman)
Edelman also contributed a postseason rushing touchdown, further demonstrating his versatility within New England’s offense.
At the time of his retirement in 2021, Edelman ranked second only to Jerry Rice in postseason receptions and receiving yards. Those achievements demonstrate just how productive he was when the stakes were highest.
What makes those numbers particularly impressive is that Edelman was never the biggest, fastest or most physically imposing receiver on the field.
Standing 5-foot-10, he relied on toughness, intelligence, precise route running and an exceptional understanding of the Patriots’ offense.
When Brady needed a receiver to get open on third down, Edelman was frequently his first option. When the Patriots needed a difficult catch over the middle, Edelman was willing to absorb contact. And when the pressure intensified during the playoffs, their chemistry became even more valuable.
Their connection was not built around spectacular deep passes or overwhelming physical advantages. It was built around execution, consistency and the ability to deliver under pressure.
That reliability helped New England sustain one of the most successful championship runs in modern NFL history.
Super Bowl XLIX: The Game-Winning Touchdown
In Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks, Brady and Edelman delivered one of the defining moments of their partnership.
Trailing 24–21 late in the fourth quarter, Brady orchestrated a crucial drive before finding Edelman for a three-yard touchdown with just over two minutes remaining.
The touchdown gave New England a 28–24 lead, which the Patriots preserved following Malcolm Butler’s famous goal-line interception.
Edelman finished the game with nine receptions for 109 yards and the winning touchdown.
It was their first Super Bowl championship together and a perfect demonstration of the trust Brady had developed in his receiver.
Super Bowl LI: One of the Greatest Catches in Super Bowl History
Two years later, Brady and Edelman helped engineer arguably the greatest comeback in NFL history.
The Patriots trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28–3 during the third quarter of Super Bowl LI before mounting an extraordinary comeback.
With New England trailing 28–20 late in the fourth quarter, Brady attempted a pass toward Edelman that was tipped into the air by Atlanta’s defense.
What followed was one of the most remarkable catches in Super Bowl history.
Surrounded by Falcons defenders, Edelman somehow managed to secure the football just inches above the turf, maintaining possession despite the ball appearing destined to hit the ground.
The 23-yard reception kept New England’s drive alive and helped set up the tying touchdown and two-point conversion.
The Patriots eventually completed their comeback, winning 34–28 in overtime.
Edelman finished with five receptions for 87 yards, but no statistic could adequately capture the importance of that miraculous catch.
It remains one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history and a defining moment of the Brady-Edelman partnership.
Super Bowl LIII: Edelman Wins MVP
If there was ever a game that perfectly demonstrated Edelman’s importance to Brady and the Patriots, it was Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams.
In a defensive battle where points were extremely difficult to come by, Edelman was New England’s most consistent offensive weapon.
He finished with 10 receptions for 141 yards, repeatedly finding openings in the Rams’ defense and providing Brady with a reliable target.
Eight of his receptions resulted in first downs, helping the Patriots sustain drives in a game where offensive production was limited.
New England eventually won 13–3, securing the duo’s third Super Bowl championship together.
Edelman’s performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, making him one of the select wide receivers to receive the award.
For a former seventh-round draft pick who entered the NFL without a defined position, becoming Super Bowl MVP was an extraordinary achievement.
It also reinforced why Brady placed so much trust in him throughout their time together.
While Brady enjoyed other outstanding receiving partnerships during his career, including Randy Moss and Wes Welker, his connection with Edelman became synonymous with New England’s championship success during the 2010s.
Their regular-season production, remarkable postseason chemistry, three championships and unforgettable Super Bowl moments make Tom Brady and Julian Edelman a deserving number-five selection.
Not bad for two guys who were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds.
Next in the series: #4 — Coming Soon.
Leave a Reply