Julian Edelman announced on Monday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons, citing a knee injury that cut his 2020 season short after just six games. The 34-year-old wide receiver said he will leave the league after giving everything he had to the sport.
Edelman, a former college quarterback turned seventh-round draft pick, became a key target for Tom Brady on three Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots. He was named Super Bowl 53 MVP in 2019 after hauling in 10 receptions for 141 yards in a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
“Nothing in my career has ever come easy. And no surprise, this isn’t going to come easy either,” Edelman said fighting back tears in a video posted to Twitter. “I’ve always said I’m going to go until the wheels come off. And they finally have fallen off.” Earlier in the day, the Patriots terminated Edelman’s contract after he failed a physical.
Head coach Bill Belichick praised Edelman’s career, saying: “By any measure of what constitutes an elite NFL career – wins, championships, production – Julian has it all. ... This is a tribute to his legendary competitiveness, mental and physical toughness and will to excel.” Patriots owner Robert Kraft called Edelman “one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history.”
Edelman retires ranked second in team history with 620 receptions, fourth in receiving yards (6,822) and ninth with 36 receiving touchdowns. He is most remembered for his postseason exploits, amassing 118 catches for 1,422 yards and seven touchdowns, including the decisive score in Super Bowl 49 and a fingertip catch in the historic Super Bowl 51 comeback.
