He played with two likely first-ballot Hall of Famers in Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, but Julian Edelman was just as instrumental during the New England Patriots‘ run of Super Bowl wins.
While Brady and “Gronk” are surefire shoe-ins for Canton, what about Edelman? He discussed that topic on “New Heights” with Jason and Travis Kelce Wednesday.
Julian Edelman Pauses Before Giving His Answer
Edelman owns half of the rings the Patriots collected. He’s also revered among Pats fans for his play in Super Bowl 53 — which earned him the game’s Most Valuable Player honors.
Edelman, though, got asked by the now two-time Super Bowl champion tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs: “Are you a Hall of Famer?”
The former Patriot paused for nearly five seconds before giving his answer…”I don’t know.”
The Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce, chimed in after the three-word answer, wondering what was the reason behind the pause. That was when Edelman gave a few more words.
“Regular-season numbers,” Edelman began. “I don’t know, it’s tough. It’s tough.”
While Edelman produced two 100-catch seasons, two 90-reception campaigns, and three years of surpassing 1,000 yards, he was never voted as a first-ballot Pro Bowler. Edelman ended his career with 620 receptions, 6,822 yards, and 36 touchdowns.
Edelman is unsure if he’ll ever get “the knock” that lets him know he’s going into the Hall of Fame. However, he has an endorser.
“You’re one of the best ball players to have ever graced the f****** shield,” Travis Kelce told Edelman. “I’ll answer it for you — you’re f****** in.”
Edelman Reveals That Rapport With Tom Brady Didn’t Start Right Away
Edelman admitted he nearly dropped his 20-inch binder of Patriots plays when he first met the seven-time Super Bowl winner, Brady, even describing how “tall and handsome” he was. He also remembered the first time he saw Brady throw the ball in front of him, which was a deep corner connection to Randy Moss.
“When you saw that connection as a young player, it was f****** crazy,” Edelman explained.
While Brady built a revered rapport with Edelman that led to more titles for the Pats, he admits their relationship didn’t flourish right away.
“It took me years to gain his trust,” Edelman shared. “That was the thing with Brady. When you’re a f****** technician who’s been doing it at a high level for such a long time, he already had 11 years in the league when I got there, he had three Super Bowls….When you’re a guy like that, you don’t want to waste time.
“Every rep is something to those guys. So they want things done a certain way, right away, the way it needs to be done,” Edelman continued. “And if you don’t, they just — I’m done with that, gimme someone else who knows what they’re doing. You have a built-in pressure, like ‘oh s***, I can’t f*** this up as a young player.’ It took me years to get comfortable. It took me reps with him, which I didn’t get a lot with the team.”
Edelman Shares Details of Retirement Life
Edelman, 37, has now been out of the league since 2020.
The native of Redwood City, California, who also attended Community College of San Mateo, has since relocated to his home state in his post-NFL career.
“It’s a whirlwind. I was talking to Trav before — you know, you miss when you could say ‘no’ to things because you had a set schedule all the time because you had organized team activities, you had minicamps — now I have to go to weddings! I have to go to podcasts!” Edelman joked.
However, Edelman’s enjoying the new time that he has — including reconnecting with his daughter.
“But it’s awesome, I’m getting a lot more time with my family, with my little girl. I moved back out here [California] to be with her,” he said.