Patriots' Edelman: 'The train keeps moving' forward without Brady

Julian Edelman and Tom Brady made a decorated duo for more than a decade together on the New England Patriots. While Edelman's feelings for Brady haven't changed, the wide receiver is now focused on the future after the quarterback's departure this offseason.

"Obviously, we played a lot of football together, and I love him to death, but the train keeps moving, as it will when I'm not playing here," Edelman said Monday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. "You got to move on and understand it's the business. You have to worry about the people we have here, and try to prepare ourselves the best we can."

The Patriots added Edelman in 2009, and the former seventh-round pick became one of Brady's top targets throughout the years.

In 11 NFL seasons, the wideout topped 1,000 receiving yards three times and caught at least 100 passes in two campaigns, including a 100-reception, 1,117-yard, six-touchdown season at the age of 33 in 2019.

With the Patriots' offseason losses, the Super Bowl LIII MVP is now ready to become an even bigger veteran presence ahead of his age-34 campaign.

"I can remember like it was yesterday when I was a rookie," Edelman said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "Time flies when you're having fun. ... Wise old vet now, I guess."

New England recently signed former league MVP Cam Newton, the team's presumed starter, who has made a good first impression on Edelman.

"When you first meet him, just his stature. He's large - put together well," Edelman said. "He has a great energy about himself. I was really impressed with his work ethic and mindset."