Julian Edelman has been among the best players in New England Patriots history since they made the former college quarterback a seventh-round pick in 2009, ultimately moving him to wide receiver in the process.
Unfortunately, father time has caught up with Edelman. He missed all but six games a season ago due to a knee injury. There’s also been speculation that the Super Bowl LIII MVP won’t be able to play a full slate in 2021. That’s now led to the New England Patriots making the decision to release their longtime star.
Edelman, 34, was set to count north of $6 million against the cap in 2021. New England saves $3.4 million by releasing the wide receiver.
A late-round pick out of Kent State, Edelman morphed into a favorite of former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in their 11 seasons together in New England. He put up three 1,000-yard seasons, won three Super Bowls and earned the MVP of the big game in a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. That game saw Edelman catch 10 passes for 141 yards.
If this is indeed it for Edelman on the New England Patriots, he finishes his career second in franchise history with 620 receptions, fourth in receiving yards (6,822) and ninth in receiving touchdowns (36).