It was great, but not surprising news that Patriot Nation elected Julian Edelman to the Patriots' Hall of Fame. While it was a bit disappointing that Adam Vinatieri has to wait, he'll likely get there in a year or two. But for 2025, Julian is the one, and it's a great pick.
Edelman spent his entire 11-year career with the Patriots (he missed a year due to injury). He epitomizes the ethic of the underdog who, through determination, perseverance, and hard work, overcomes any odds to excel.
While Edelman richly deserved his Patriots Hall induction, in a few years, he should also be headed to the Pro Football Hall. He should also join his fellow Patriots greats Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in that Hall. Let's explore why.
Julian Edelman excelled in two phases of NFL football
Edelman was a terrific Patriots' special teamer and world-class punt returner
Julian Edelman was best known for his later exploits as a wide receiver (we'll get to that), but many fans may not recall his true excellence as a punt returner. Edelman returned punts in all but his last NFL season and amassed a terrific record.
He logged 177 returns for an amazing 1,986 yards, four touchdowns, and a phenomenal 11.2-yard per-return average. There were few returns when Edeleman didn't advance the ball upfield, giving Tom Brady better field positions. The Hall seems to have a bias against allowing special teams in. Both Edelman and guys like Buffalo's Steve Tasker deserve to be there.
Julian Edelman was a great receiver
A college quarterback, Edelman later became one of the NFL's best wide receivers. After learning the new position, he stepped in and stepped up, giving Brady a reliable and clutch performer to throw to and complement the Gronks, Amendolas, and Hogans on the team.
Edelman grabbed 620 passes for 6,822 yards, an 11.0-yard-per-reception average, and 36 touchdowns. He also caught 65.9 percent of the passes thrown his way and had three seasons with more than 100 catches. He was a first-down, chain-moving machine for three of Tom Brady's Super Bowl winners and one of the Patriots' best receivers ever.
Edelman topped off his statistics by being as clutch as anyone who's ever caught an NFL pass. The archetypal clutch catch came in Super Bowl LI against Atlanta. There, he made the most incredible catch in NFL history, snatching a deflected ball about an inch off the turf with three defenders draped all over him to extend the Patriots' remarkable comeback from a 28-3 deficit. Julian Edelman is a Patriots Hall of Famer. He should be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, as well.