FOXBORO – Just hours after the New England Patriots announced that Julian Edelman‘s contract was terminated, the All-Pro wide receiver sent out a video message on social media announcing his retirement.
https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/1381722282570170373?s=20
“Nothing in my career has ever come easy, and no surprise, this isn’t going to be easy either,” said Edelman in the message on his @Edelman11 Twitter feed. “Now, I’ve always said, I’ll go until the wheels come off. And uh, they finally have fallen off. Due to an injury last year, I’ll be making my official announcement of my retirement from football.
“It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family. And I’m honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot. There are a million people I have to thank. Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family … I’ve learned so much from you guys on and off the field. Coach Belichick, gave me my opportunity. I’ll always love you for that. My teammates, we’ve gone to war. We lost some, we won some. You guys will always be my brothers.
“To all my coaches that I played under, I appreciate all your insight, all your hard work, all your knowledge. To the entire Patriots organization, from the meal ladies, to the people who clean up after us, the people in the hallways, the training staff, the strength staff, we share so many awesome memories that I’ll never forget.
“And of course, my family. You guys have always had my back. It’s been the best 12 years of my life. It’s a hell of a run. I can’t forget you, Patriot Nation. You guys have welcomed me and my family to a region we did not know. We didn’t know. But now, I’m one of you.
“I’m going to leave you guys with two words: Foxboro Forever.”
The 34-year-old All-Pro wide receiver is listed with a “failed physical” designation on the NFL’s transaction wire.
A three-time Super Bowl winner, Edelman ranks second in Patriots history in receptions (620), fourth in receiving yards (6,822) and ninth in touchdown receptions (36).
A quarterback in college at Kent State, Edelman was drafted in the seventh round (232nd overall) by New England in 2009 and wound up playing in 137 regular season games and 19 postseason games. Edelman posted three 1,000-yard seasons and two 100-catch campaigns. He missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason.
He was named the MVP of Super Bowl LIII in 2019 after catching 10 passes for 141 yards in the Patriots’ 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Edelman’s release frees up $3.4 million in salary cap space for the Patriots.