Julian Edelman retires from NFL after ending 12-year career with New England Patriots

Patriots star receiver Julian Edelman, who helped New England win three titles and was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII, declared his retirement in a video posted on social media Monday.

The NFL transaction wire released Monday stated that Edelman had his contract ended by the Patriots, however the roster move is relied upon to be a technicality as a part of his retirement, a source told ESPN.

“It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family,” Edelman said. “And I’m honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot. … It’s been the best 12 years of my life.”

Edelman, who turns 35 one month from now, was limited to six games last season due to a persistent knee injury. He went through his whole 12-year profession with the Patriots and positions second in NFL history with 118 postseason gatherings, behind just Jerry Rice’s 151.

One of Edelman’s signature plays was a improbable diving catch in Super Bowl LI, assisting the Patriots with defeating a 28-3 second-half deficit to rally past the Atlanta Falcons. After two years in a triumph over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, he was named MVP after adding up to 10 receptions for 141 yards.

His quarterback for those games, Tom Brady, took to online media Monday to commend his long-lasting slot receiver.

“On the biggest stage and in the biggest moments, you always came through,” Brady tweeted. “You never lost that chip on your shoulder and you never let anyone define you as a person or player. I’m proud of you Jules. Love you.”

Added Patriots director and CEO Robert Kraft in an explanation: “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. Julian not only did that as a seventh-round draft selection, but he is retiring with the second-most career receptions in franchise history and as a three-time Super Bowl Champion, including his last as Super Bowl MVP. 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.”

Edelman caps his career in second place on the all-time Patriots chart for receptions (620), behind just Wes Welker (672). He is fourth in the team’s career receiving yards list with 6,822 receiving yards, behind just Stanley Morgan (10,352), Rob Gronkowski (7,861) and Welker (7,459).

“Nothing in my career has ever come easy and no surprise, this isn’t going to be easy either,” Edelman said. “I’ve always said, ‘I’ll 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.”

By having his contract ended for a “failed physical,” Edelman currently gets qualified for the injury protection benefit, per the CBA, accessible to all major parts in the present situation. Edelman can gather up to $2 million through this advantage.

Few would have anticipated his profession direction when the Patriots chose Edelman in the seventh round of the 2009 draft – 232rd generally speaking. Edelman was a quarterback at Kent State, with his running skills and fast cutting ability catching Bill Belichick’s attention as a potential receiver/punt returner.

Edelman was all the while playing at a general last season, adding up to a profession high 179 yards in a Week 2 misfortune to the Seahawks. Yet, the irritating knee injury eventually landed him on harmed save in late October, and keeping in mind that there was trust he may return late in the season, he wasn’t adequately solid to be activated.

In view of his health, the Patriots went into the 2021 offseason uncertain of Edelman’s status, which contributed to their agreeing to contracts with receivers Nelson Agholor (two years, $26 million, with $15 million ensured) and Kendrick Bourne (three years, $22.5 million, with $5.25 million ensured) on the principal day of free organization. Edelman was additionally entering the last year of his agreement.

Edelman’s grip postseason play is reflected in his six games with at any rate 100 getting yards, attached with Michael Irvin for second untouched (Rice is first with eight).

“By any measure of what constitutes an elite NFL career — wins, championships, production — Julian has it all,” Belichick said in a team statement. “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.”

The Patriots tapped into his old quarterback skills with progress, with Edelman finishing 7 of 8 ignores his career for 179 yards, with two touchdowns and an ideal 158.3 passer rating (incorporates end of the season games).

Against Denver last October, Edelman joined running backs Andy Johnson (Sept. 6, 1981 versus Baltimore) and Dick Christy (Nov. 18, 1960 versus Dallas Texans) as the three Patriots non-quarterbacks who have finished two passes in a game.

Over his career, Edelman added up to 58 rushing attempts for 413 yards, the most surging endeavors and surging yards by a wide receiver in Patriots history.

In the last phases of his career, Edelman, of Redwood City, California, freely accepted his Jewish identity, taking pride in becoming the first Jewish player to be named a Super Bowl MVP.

In July 2020, he invited receiver DeSean Jackson to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., after Jackson’s anti-Semitic social media posts. This previous March, he composed an open letter to Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard about Leonard’s utilization of an enemy of Semitic slur during a video game livestream.