by Tom Brady’s Top 3 Teammates
Tom Brady is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Over his legendary 22-year NFL career so far, Brady has won 7 Super Bowl titles, 5 Super Bowl MVP awards, and 3 NFL MVP awards. Much of Brady’s success can be attributed to his work ethic, intelligence, and clutch playmaking ability. However, Brady has also been fortunate to play with some incredibly talented teammates throughout his career who have helped elevate his game. While Brady has played with many great players, here are three teammates that stand out as being among his most impactful:
Julian Edelman
Wide receiver Julian Edelman was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Kent State. Not expected to be much more than a special teams player, Edelman worked his way into becoming one of Tom Brady’s favorite and most trusted targets. From 2009-2019, Edelman amassed 620 receptions for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns in the regular season playing alongside Brady. However, it was in the playoffs where Edelman truly shined on the big stage.
Across his playoff career, Edelman had 118 receptions for 1,442 yards and 5 touchdowns in 19 playoff games. This included one of the greatest Super Bowl performances of all time, when Edelman hauled in 10 receptions for 141 yards in Super Bowl LI to help lead the Patriots’ historic comeback from a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons. Edelman was named Super Bowl MVP for his efforts. Beyond his stats, Edelman’s greatest strengths were his football IQ, route running precision, and clutch play in critical moments. He developed almost a mind-meld type connection with Brady over the years, understanding exactly where Brady wanted him to be on any given play.
Brady has spoken glowingly about Edelman on numerous occasions, calling him one of the toughest and most competitive players he’s ever seen. Their bond extended well beyond the field as well. Brady has credited Edelman as being “like a little brother” to him and one of his closest friends on the team. Edelman brought an intensity, attention to detail, and championship mentality that perfectly complemented Brady’s game. While not the most physically gifted player, Edelman maximized his abilities through hard work and made plays time and again when his team needed it most. He will go down as one of the most clutch postseason performers in NFL history and was an invaluable weapon for Brady during his Patriots dynasty years.
Rob Gronkowski
At tight end, few players in NFL history could match the combination of size, strength, athleticism, and pass catching ability that Rob Gronkowski possessed. After being drafted by New England in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, “Gronk” immediately became one of Tom Brady’s most dangerous red zone targets. From 2010-2018 with the Patriots, Gronkowski compiled 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in the regular season. Like Edelman, Gronkowski also elevated his game to another level in the playoffs. He added another 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 postseason games during his Patriots career.
At 6’6 and 265 pounds, Gronkowski presented a nightmare matchup problem for opposing defenses. He could outmuscle defensive backs in single coverage or simply leap over them to haul in Brady’s pinpoint throws. From 2010-2018, no tight end in the NFL came close to matching Gronkowski’s production. His unique combination of size, speed, body control, and hands made him a perennial All-Pro and one of the best tight ends to ever play the game. On top of his on-field contributions, Gronkowski also brought a joyful, energetic personality that was infectious in the Patriots locker room. He and Brady developed a strong bond and understanding over the years that helped propel New England to multiple Super Bowl victories.
Brady has said Gronkowski was “like a brother” to him and that no one blocked for him better or who he had more trust in when throwing 50-50 balls in the end zone. Even after “retiring” following the 2018 season, Brady was able to lure Gronkowski back for one more run in 2020 when they were reunited on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their chemistry was on full display as Gronk caught 45 passes for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns en route to helping Brady win his 7th Super Bowl ring that season. Without question, Gronkowski was one of Brady’s most impactful offensive weapons and a major factor in many of the Patriots championship campaigns.
Julian Velarde
Compared to stars like Edelman and Gronkowski, offensive lineman Julian Velarde didn’t put up huge stats or make many highlight reels. However, he was one of Brady’s most important and trusted teammates during his time with the Patriots from 2004-2010. An undrafted free agent out of UTEP in 2004, Velarde started 74 games over 7 seasons for New England, primarily at right guard. While not flashy, Velarde’s gritty, physical style of play provided excellent protection for Brady in the pocket. He was a reliable, durable blocker who played through injuries and gave it his all on every down to help the offense succeed.
Brady has said Velarde was one of his favorite teammates ever due to his relentless work ethic, attention to detail, and team-first mentality. Velarde took tremendous pride in keeping Brady clean and allowing him to comfortably go through his progressions. Behind the scenes, Velarde also served as a mentor to younger offensive linemen and was a leader in the Patriots locker room. While the quarterback gets much of the glory, Brady understood how critical his big guys up front were to his success. He developed a close bond and mutual respect with Velarde over the years.
Even after retiring in 2010, Velarde stayed closely involved with the Patriots organization through various scouting and coaching roles. His influence on New England’s culture and way of doing things could still be felt long after his playing days ended. While not in the spotlight like some stars, Brady knew Velarde’s selfless, blue-collar contributions were invaluable to protecting him and fueling sustained championship runs. The quarterback showed his appreciation by speaking highly of Velarde’s underrated career and championship character. For Brady, having a dependable blocker like Velarde he could count on every week was as important as any skill position player.
Conclusion
Over two decades in the NFL, Tom Brady has been fortunate enough to play with some truly great teammates who helped elevate his game to unprecedented heights. While impossible to narrow down to just three, wide receiver Julian Edelman, tight end Rob Gronkowski, and offensive lineman Julian Velarde stand out as being among Brady’s most impactful teammates based on both their on-field production and personal relationships with the quarterback. They each brought different skillsets, but shared qualities like intelligence, toughness, and championship mindsets that perfectly complemented Brady’s talents.
Their collective contributions on offense were a major driving force behind many of New England’s Super Bowl victories during the Patriots dynasty era. Brady developed deep bonds and understandings with each of these teammates that extended beyond just Sundays. Their ability to maximize what Brady did best is a big reason why he now owns nearly every significant NFL passing record in the books. While Brady certainly elevated the play of those around him as well, it’s clear he also benefited tremendously from playing alongside elite talents who pushed him to even greater heights.
