Perhaps no player embodies the New England Patriots' ethos better than Julian Edelman.

The veteran wide receiver played perhaps the finest game of his storied career on Sunday, finishing with 10 catches for 141 yards in his team's 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, an effort for which he was named the game's MVP.

In a defense-first affair completely devoid of the offensive fireworks that highlighted the 2018 season, Edelman was either team's only source of consistent offense, and a security blanket for quarterback Tom Brady, who faced pressure in the pocket for the first time all postseason while getting knocked down four times.

It was Edelman, though, who Brady singled out for his toughness after the game.

“He played the best game of the year,” the six-time champion signal-caller said, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold. “He's a fighter. I'm just so proud of him. He's been an incredible player for this team.”

Edelman, 32, was at his best throughout the playoffs when the Patriots needed him most.

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He accounted for over half of Brady's passing yards in the Super Bowl, converted multiple key third downs in New England's thrilling overtime win against the Kansas City Chiefs, and had nine catches and 151 yards receiving against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Patriots, needless to say, wouldn't be celebrating their record-tying sixth Super Bowl title without Edelman.

Of course, many believe the 10-year veteran shouldn't have been playing in the postseason in the first place. Edelman was suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs over the summer.

He debuted on October 4th, barely missing a beat with the Patriots despite breaking a rule that would have sidelined him for the entire season in Major League Baseball.