Julian Edelman apparently isn’t buying into the hype.
When appearing on “FOX NFL Kickoff” Sunday as an analyst, the former Patriots wide receiver was asked who will finish last in the AFC East.
Edelman cited a Gang Green superfan to provide his answer.
“Is Fireman Ed here? Can I get the J-E-…,” Edelman said on the broadcast.
The Jets traded for superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers in April, fueling postseason expectations from a championship-starved franchise.
Edelman, who retired in 2021 after 12 seasons with the Patriots, had been discussing the divisional forecast of New England following an 8-9 finish last year.
“I was just around Coach [Bill] Belichick a couple of weeks ago and he gave me a blessing and goes like, ‘Look, Jules, don’t be a homer. If you wanna MF me, MF me,” Edelman said.
“And so, Coach, I’m here to say, I don’t agree that you’re fourth [in the AFC East], I think you’re gonna get third. And you’re gonna be very competitive.”
Edelman, who won three Super Bowls as a member of the Patriots, believes the “defense is gonna be great,” and that he “loves” the addition of offensive coordination Bill O’Brien.
Asked what he thought Belichick was telling his Patriots team right now, Edelman replied: “Honestly, I don’t know.
“I’ve never been in a situation where we were predicted fourth in the division. We won 10 straight divisions when I was there, and we did have Tom Brady, the best quarterback of all time.”
Elsewhere on the broadcast, Edelman explained why the Jets need to “manage their expectations” as they enter the 2023 season with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
“I think New York should be very excited, but they need to manage their expectations. They’re not going to go out and win the Super Bowl this year, they’re not going to do that,” Edelman said.
The former Pro Bowler then cited the Jets’ “offensive line trouble.”
“If they go to the playoffs, that is a successful season,” Edelman said.
Rodgers will make his regular season Jets debut Monday in an AFC East showdown against the Bills.
The Jets and Patriots won’t face off until Sept. 24.
The Patriots open the season Sunday vs. the Eagles.
