Julian Edelman announced his retirement Monday and ended a career with the New England Patriots that includes three Super Bowl championships, including the Super Bowl LIII MVP.
Edelman’s decision drew reactions from longtime fullback and good friend Tom Brady, as well as other former teammates and players across the league.
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Rob Gronkowski also expressed his thoughts on Edelman’s retirement – he does not buy it.
Gronkowski told TMZ Sports that he believes the chances are “69%” that Edelman will join Tampa Bay in 2021 to play for the Buccaneers.
“He will return,” Gronkowski added. “He will be back. Yes.’
TOM BRADY responds to JULIAN EDELMAN’S RETURN: ‘YOU NEVER LOST THE TEAM ON YOUR SHOULDER’
Edelman posted an emotional video on social media of himself sitting on the Patriots’ home field, Gillette Stadium. In the report, the former draft pick from the seventh round said how it was the best 12 years of my life in the NFL as a Patriot.
“Nothing in my career has ever come easy, nor will it come as a surprise,” Edelman said. “I always said I would go until the wheels came loose and finally fell. Due to an injury last year, I would make my official announcement about my retirement from football. It was a hard decision, but right decision for me. and my family. And I’m honored and so proud to be a Patriot. “
JULIAN EDELMAN’S RETIREMENT PIGS DEBATE ON WHETHER HE SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OR FAME
Edelman ended his career with 620 catches for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was a solid wide receiver and was a key part of the Patriots’ success in the regular season and playoff game. However, he was never selected to a Pro Bowl and also never a first-team All-Pro selection.
He finished his career 156th in receiving yard, 75th in catches and in the top 300 of the starting heads. He finished second in playoffs with 118 catches, second in receiving yard with 1142 yards, and finished in 46th place with five touchdowns.
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Gronkowski, who played with Edelman from 2010 to 2018, also debated whether Edelman should be a Hall of Famer or not. The former All-Pro team said Edelman is for sure a Patriots Hall of Famer, and he thinks there is a chance for hedging in Canton.
“I definitely think he has a great potential to be a Hall of Famer,” Gronkowski told TMZ Sports. “He’s an animal. And the numbers just don’t show everything he brings to the table. The attitude, the competitiveness he has.”
Fox Gay’s Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.