Julian Edelman's career with the Patriots is over. He announced his retirement on social media.
Foxboro Forever pic.twitter.com/x3SDDPJoTX
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 12, 2021
Nothing in my career has ever come easy. And no surprise, this isn't gonna be easy either. Now, I've always said, I'm gonna go until the wheels come off. And they finally have fallen off. Due to an injury last year, I'll be making my official announcement of my retirement from football.
It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family. And I'm honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot. There are a million people I have to thank. Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family ... learned so much from you guys on and off the field. Coach Belichick, gave me my opportunity, always love you for that. Teammates gone to war, lost some, we won some. You guys will always be my brothers. To all my coaches that I played under, I appreciate all your insight, all your hard work, all your knowledge. The entire Patriots organization from the meal ladies, the people that clean up after us, to people in the hallways, training staff the strength staff, we share so many awesome memories, and I'll never forget. And of course my family. You guys have always had my back.
It's in the best 12 years of my life. It's a hell of a run. I can't forget you Patriot Nation. You guys have welcomed me and my family to a region we didn't know, but now I'm one of you. I'm going to leave you guys with two words: Foxborough Forever.
“Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history. There aren’t many players who earn an NFL roster spot at a position they have never played before. ... No one was more committed to his craft and honing his skills than Jules. His explosiveness off the line, quickness in his cuts and elusiveness after the catch made him one of the hardest players to defend throughout his career. His clutch catches in our biggest games and overall toughness made him a fan favorite. Over the past 12 years, I have enjoyed watching him grow as a player, as a person and as a father. In 2019, I had the privilege of traveling to Israel with Julian, which might be the only place where he is more popular than here in New England.”
“By any measure of what constitutes an elite NFL career – wins, championships, production – Julian has it all. Few players can match Julian’s achievements, period, but considering his professional trajectory and longevity, the group is even more select. It is historic. This is a tribute to his legendary competitiveness, mental and physical toughness and will to excel. Day in and day out, Julian was always the same: all out. Then, in the biggest games and moments, with championships at stake, he reached even greater heights and delivered some of his best, most thrilling performances. For all Julian did for our team, what I may appreciate the most is he was the quintessential throwback player. He could, and did, do everything – catch, run, throw, block, return, cover and tackle – all with an edge and attitude that would not allow him to fail under any circumstance. Julian Edelman is the ultimate competitor and it was a privilege to coach him.”
In many ways, Edelman's NFL career was just as improbable as the Patriots' 28-3 comeback against the Falcons that would not have happened without Edelman, especially his ridiculous carom catch between three Atlanta defenders.
A three-year starter at quarterback in college at San Mateo and Kent State, Edelman was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots in the 2009 draft probably due in large part to his ridiculous three-cone time (6.62 seconds). With Wes Welker revolutionizing the slot receiver position in the NFL, the Patriots needed to start giving themselves options at the position, and Edelman made a lot of sense.
But you had to wonder if it would ever happen for Edelman early on his career due to a succession of injures. As a rookie, Edelman dealt with an ankle injury and broke his arm. In 2010, there was a foot sprain and a concussion. In '11, he missed time with an ankle but came back to even play defense on the way to a Super Bowl loss to the Giants.
But his '12 season was the nadir of everyone's frustration, and it almost ended his Patriots career.
In '12, the Patriots franchised Welker and the Patriots weren't exactly thrilled that Welker didn't meet their price on a contract extension and, instead, quickly signed the $9.5 million guaranteed one-year deal. It didn't take long to see that Welker was starting to be phased out of the Patriots' offense in favor of Edelman, with the likely result being Welker's trade at some point. But Aaron Hernandez got hurt as Edelman started Game 2 against the Cardinals and played 92.6 percent of the snaps instead of Welker. Edelman hurt his hand in the same game, and missed the next three. Later, Edelman broke his foot and missed the rest of the season.
At that point, the Patriots weren't even sure whether they wanted Edelman. He was a free agent, and the team didn't make much of an effort to re-sign him. Edelman even took a free-agent visit to the Giants. At that point in his career, four years in, Edelman had missed 17 games and had 32 catches combined in his previous three seasons — less than the 37 he had a rookie. In the offseason of 2012, Edelman was injury-prone and not all that productive to the entire NFL.
The Patriots quickly signed Danny Amendola and let Welker walk to the Broncos. Edelman almost took a deal with the Giants. Instead, he took a cheap one-year deal with the Patriots to basically be Amendola's backup.
The rest, for the team and Edelman, was history.
Over the next six seasons, Edelman played three full seasons and averaged 132.2 targets, 88.3 catches and 965.5 yards per season with 32 total touchdowns and an average of 1,019 scrimmage yards per year.
On the field, the team won three Super Bowls during that time — he was Super Bowl LIII MVP.
For his career, Edelman had 620 receptions for 6,822 yards and 41 touchdowns. Edelman is second behind Jerry Rice on the postseason records list with 118 receptions and 1,442 yards.
Not bad for a college quarterback. Not bad for a guy the Patriots didn't even want less than a decade ago.
Unfortunately, a degenerative condition in his knee never improved and he played his final game at home against the 49ers.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)Edelman then walked off the field, threw a water bottle, and went down the tunnel in his final appearance in a Patriots uniform.
A couple of personal moments that come to mind with Edelman:
• In the bowels of NRG Stadium after the Patriots came back to defeat the Falcons 34-28, Edelman and Amendola found each other after leaving the field and one of them screamed, "Not bad for a couple of small white dudes!" as they embraced.
• Edelman was always scared to death of Belichick and never felt his position on the team was ever secure. Edelman was suspended for PEDs at the start of the 2018 season. I came across him working out in the area. With just a few days from returning, I was hoping he'd grant me an interview to publish once his suspension was over. Edelman was great — no one knew the media-player game better than him — and dad, in tow, was very gracious. Edelman smiled his wry smile at my request. "Come on Greg, you know the deal. You know what (bleeping) Belichick would do to me if I did that." We both had a laugh and I told him I'd see him in the locker room come Wednesday.
• Edelman took every loss incredibly hard and while other players would hide their emotions from the media, Edelman didn't care. You would often find him sitting his locker room after road losses and was usually among the last to take off his uniform. He didn't try to spin the media after losses. You could tell how he felt by his face. And he answered questions directly.
• Not many players cared more, but Edelman never tried to be someone he wasn't. I don't think he was ever a captain. Not everyone is captain material, and there's nothing wrong with that. Edelman, more than anything, exemplified the Patriots' Do Your Job mentality. All he worried about was doing his job and didn't see the need to be rah-rah and in other people's faces. But he was always there if anyone needed anything. He just kept to himself for the most part. Nothing wrong with that.
• As I said on the podcast towards the end of the season, I'm extremely bummed out that Edelman has to go out this way following a COVID season with no fans. He will have his day — and probably a few — at Gillette, but this is no way for a warrior like Edelman to go out, injured and in an empty stadium.
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