Julian Edelman’s football career will certainly be most remembered for his postseason success, and his postseason accolades.
Edelman finished his career with the second most playoff receptions in NFL history. He had 118 playoff receptions, only Jerry Rice had more. Pretty good company to say the least, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Edelman’s road to success was unconventional and unlike anyone else in NFL history.
The converted college quarterback spent the first four seasons of his Patriots career buried on the wide receiver depth chart. Edelman only started 13 games in his first four NFL seasons.
During that time, his role was to mainly to field punts. Edelman even saw some time on defense when the Patriots secondary was depleted and injury-ridden.
Despite the lack of opportunities on the offensive side of the football, Bill Belichick kept Edelman around.
Sure, Edelman seemed like the ideal replacement for Wes Welker in that slot receiver position, but I believe it was Edelman’s versatility that caught Belichick’s eye, and allowed him to stick with the Patriots for all those years.
After his fourth NFL season concluded, Edelman hit free agency for the first time in his career. It was a big offseason for Edelman, and for the Patriots.
Wes Welker was also scheduled to hit free agency, so, Edelman had an opportunity to really take a hold of the slot receiver position for the Patriots.
But, on the first day of free agency, the Patriots gave Danny Amendola a five-year deal worth close to $30 million. At the time, Amendola seemed like the perfect fit to replace Wes Welker.
However, the Patriots also reached a one-year deal with Julian Edelman, about a month after free agency started. His role was unclear, but after that moment, Julian Edelman became a household name.
In 2013, Edelman erupted, as he had 34 receptions for 319 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in the first four games of the season.
He didn’t stop there, and quickly became Tom Brady’s favorite target.
From 2013 to 2019, Julian Edelman caught 530 total passes. He was the focal point of the Patriots’ offense, and his connection with Tom Brady became historical.
During that seven year span, Julian Edelman helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls. Being a major contributor on all of them, all while dealing with injures during various points of his career.
Edelman’s scrappy, underdog mentality is something that is impossible to replicate. He was tough as nails, and was someone Tom Brady could always depend on.
Does he belong in the hall of fame?
He doesn’t have the stats to warrant a nod to Canton, but his overall career is tough to judge by looking at stats.
The stats don’t do Julian Edelman justice.
The adversity he overcame is something we may never see again.