Julian Edelman was honored at halftime of the Patriots-Saints game in 2021 after he retired following the 2020 season.
Julian Edelman was honored at halftime of the Patriots-Saints game in 2021 after he retired following the 2020 season.Jim Davis/Globe Staff
The Patriots had a special guest at their organized team activities (OTAs) last week, as Julian Edelman stopped by Foxborough to check in on Mike Vrabel and a revamped New England roster.
While Vrabel and New England are still in the early days of setting the groundwork for a new season, Edelman is buying into the hype that the Patriots are poised to take a major step forward in 2025.
“Just got back to Foxborough, watched practice, watched coach Vrabes, watched all the new guys, watched all the old guys. My excitement levels are literally through the roof. It’s insane,” Edelman said in a video posted to X by the team. “We got hope, guys. We’re all the same record, but we’ve got (Mike Vrabel). We’ve got the young buck [Drake Maye]. We’ve got a whole bunch of new guys sprinkled in. … Let’s go!”
Excitement level is 🆙 @Edelman11 | #NEPats pic.twitter.com/X4B1KSO9vc
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 30, 2025
It should come as little surprise that a three-time Super Bowl champion in Edelman is buying into the hype that New England is going to right the ship after back-to-back four-win seasons.
But he is not the only one who believes that the Patriots are going to make strides this fall.
“The Patriots (are) one of my surprise teams in the league,” Colin Cowherd said in March on his FS1 show, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” “I think they have the second-most talented quarterback in the division, and I don’t think it’s particularly close, in Drake Maye. … They upgraded with Mike Vrabel at coach from Jerod Mayo, who just didn’t work. They spent a lot of money. This is going to be a different team. I think they will double their win total, no question.”
Drake Maye and Julian Edelman.
👀🔥🔥🔥
📸: @Patriots pic.twitter.com/lmkVvxSApG
— Savage (@SavageSports_) May 31, 2025
At the time of Cowherd’s comments, the Patriots were seemingly on the upswing following the hiring of Vrabel as head coach and a free-agency spending spree that landed impact players like Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Harold Landry, and Carlton Davis.
Since then, New England added another playmaker in free agency in Stefon Diggs, while also addressing several needs on offense in the 2025 NFL Draft by bringing in offensive tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and wide receiver Kyle Williams.
Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.