WATCH: Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman thinks Jets will be 'tough matchup' for Patriots
The Patriots are the defending Super Bowl champs but their MVP isn't overlooking a potential dark horse in the AFC East. Julian Edelman is impressed with the transformation of the Jets this offseason.
The additions of coach Adam Gase and running back Le'Veon Bell piqued the Super Bowl LIII MVP wide receiver's attention. Edelman also included Sam Darnold in his praise.
“They’ve got some new coaches and some really dynamic players and a young quarterback,” Edelman said to the New York Post.
Edelman can already attest to the difficulty of going up against the Jets' defense. Now that the Jets added draft pick Quinnen Williams and free agent acquisition C.J. Mosley, the Patriots could have even more trouble on their hands.
Edelman has a high level of respect for Gase, who defeated the Patriots twice while head coach of the Dolphins.
“They also have a defense that for some reason does real well against us. People ask me when I’m in New York about the Giants and the Jets. Those teams have always played us well," Edelman said to the New York Post. "Now the Jets have Gase and he’s got some blueprints from Miami, where he beat us. It’s going to be a tough matchup.”
The Jets travel to New England on Sept. 22 and then host the Patriots in a Monday Night Football matchup on Oct. 21.
The Patriots have been a thorn in the Jets' side for almost two decades now. Since 2001, the Patriots have six Super Bowl titles and 16 AFC East titles. Meanwhile in that span, the Jets have only one AFC East title and six playoff appearances.
However, dynasties don't last forever, so the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era has to end eventually.
In the meantime, the rising Jets will keep chipping away and Edelman's comments offer rightful hope that the gap can be narrowed this season.
