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Julian Edelman’s next stop? Patriots Hall of Fame

Retired New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)AP

Julian Edeman was an integral part of the second wave of championships for the New England Patriots.

And now, he becomes the first member from the most recent round of championships to gain entry into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Edelman, a finalist along with Adam Vinatieri and Logan Mankins, emerged from the fan vote to earn his red jacket, becoming the 37th entrant to the exclusive club.

“Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in the release. “There aren’t many players who earn an NFL roster spot at a position they have never played before. Julian not only did that as a seventh-round draft selection, but he finished his career with the second-most receptions in franchise history and as a three-time Super Bowl Champion, including his last as Super Bowl MVP. No one was more committed to his craft and honing his skills than Jules. His explosiveness off the line, quickness in his cuts and elusiveness after the catch made him one of the hardest players to defend. His clutch catches in our biggest games and overall toughness made him a fan favorite.”

The wide receiver spent his entire 12-year career with the Patriots. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2009 out of Kent State.

He was a quarterback in college, flipped to receiver and became one of Tom Brady’s favorite all-time targets.

He’s second in team history with 620 receptions, fourth with 6,822 receiving yards and ninth with 36 receiving yards.

Much of Edelman’s damage came in the postseason. He was a clutch performer, and then some. A member of three Super Bowl Championship teams, Edelman turned in key performances at crucial moments in all three Super Bowls wins.

He was named Super Bowl LIII MVP after finishing with 10 receptions for 141 yards in the 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

In the 34-28 win over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI, with the Patriots miraculously coming back from a 28-3 deficit, Edelman had 5 catches for 87 yards, none more pivotal than his stunning 23-yard diving, finger-tip catch in a sea of Falcons defenders late in the fourth quarter.

Also, in the 28-24 win over Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX, Edelman caught the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown pass with 2:06 left to play in the fourth quarter.

He sits third in NFL history with 118 postseason receptions behind Travis Kelce (178) and Jerry Rice (151).

Edelman, however, wasn’t just known for his receiving prowess.

He was an elite punt returner. He holds the team record with 4 punt returns for a touchdown and set a franchise record with a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown in 2011 against Miami.

During the 2011 season, he was also called on to play defense and finished the season with 10 total tackles as a reserve in the secondary.

Edelman is now one of 10 Patriots Hall of Famers with three Super Bowl rings along with Brady (2024), Troy Brown (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2013), Kevin Faulk (2016), Ty Law (2014), Matt Light (2018), Willie McGinest (2015), Richard Seymour (2020) and Mike Vrabel (2023).

Edelman joins Bill Parcells, who enters the 2025 Patriots Hall class who was named as a contributor by Kraft last month.

The date and time for the induction ceremony will be announced once details are confirmed with the inductees.