A little over a week ago, Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman, announced his retirement from pro football. Edelman retired after being released by the Patriots after a failed physical. This sent Pats fans into a frenzy, as the 12-year veteran has been the heart and soul of the team for years now.
Julian Edelman retiring will have a big impact on the Patriots organization. He has helped the team when it mattered most many times. But is he worthy of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? We will give our insight on that.
Julian Edelman Retiring from Football
The Patriots got themselves a franchise talent, and now Julian Edelman retiring from football is going to have an impact on them. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from his career.
Edelman was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Edelman played quarterback at Kent State but eventually made the transition to wide receiver and return specialist.
He made his presence known early as he truly shined as a return specialist. It wouldn’t be until 2013 where he broke out as a star receiver.
Edelman finished the 2013 regular season with 105 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. This was a big step up for Jules and had big things ahead.
Unfortunately, Edelman would only have two more 1,000-yard seasons, in 2016 and 2019. He also was never named to a Pro Bowl, which could be argued that he should have. This is why some people say he should never be in the Hall of Fame.
Jules in the Playoffs
Edelman played a big role in New England’s 2014 Super Bowl run. He helped New England come back from two 14-point deficits to defeat the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. This was the game where he threw the famous touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, a moment that will forever live in Patriot history.
Against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, Edelman caught nine passes for 109 yards, and what would be the game-winning touchdown. He was always there when Tom Brady needed him most.
His 2016 playoff run was even more epic. In the Divisional Round against the Houston Texans, Edelman put up eight catches for 137 yards. The following week against the Steelers was another baller game, catching another eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
But perhaps what Edelman is remembered for most that season was his performance in the Super Bowl that year. In the remarkable comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, Edelman caught only five catches for 87 yards. But one of those catches was the insane catch in triple coverage where the ball was less than an inch from the ground.
Julian Edelman is an ultimate story in hard work and development. A college QB turned WR with time spent at CB & punt returner.
He also has the second-most catches and yards in NFL postseason history.
And he’s the author of one of the great catches in Super Bowl history. pic.twitter.com/XiIxlpdiZN
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 12, 2021
Edelman’s run in the 2018 playoffs was perhaps his most legendary. In the Divisional Round (the Patriots always had a first-round bye) against the Los Angeles Chargers, Edelman caught 9 passes for 151 yards. He had a smaller role in the AFC Championship against the Chiefs, but it didn’t matter since he balled out in the Super Bowl.
Against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53, Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards. He would win Super Bowl MVP with this performance though some would argue it was undeserving. But the Rams defense could not stop him, so it was well deserved.
Does Edelman Belong in the Hall of Fame?:
Now, this is where the debate starts. Since retiring, many people have argued back and forth as to whether Julian Edleman should be in the Hall of Fame. Here is the answer.
Yes, Edelman should be in the Hall of Fame, but not any time soon. When this gets brought up, people act like he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And the fact of the matter is, he won’t be.
His playoff stats were off the charts and his clutch performances should land him in the Hall of Fame. But his regular season stats weren’t as crazy, since he only had three 1,000 yard seasons in his 12-year career.
Regular season stats should be considered here, but his playoff stats will get him there one day. Yes, there are players with better regular-season statistics and similar post-season numbers that aren’t in the Hall yet. Hines Ward comes to mind immediately.
Other wide receivers like Hines Ward, Torry Holt, and Reggie Wayne should be inducted before Edelman. Just because they all had great regular season numbers and the rings to back it up.
Julian Edelman retiring may have been a good thing for the Patriots, but his presence will surely be missed. There will never be someone with as much heart as JE11.
