Julian Edelman's place in Patriots history will be officially immortalized in 2025.
The longtime Patriots receiver has been voted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame by fans as its 37th inductee, the team announced on Monday.
"Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise's history," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. "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."
Edelman's football journey took him on a winding path that included a number of stops along the way. He began his collegiate career as a zero-star dual-threat quarterback at the junior college level in San Mateo, California, before transferring to Kent State, where he starred at quarterback and made enough highlight-reel plays to land on the radar of at least one NFL team: New England, which spent a seventh-round pick on Edelman in 2009 and quickly redirected his career toward receiver.
Edelman's career began somewhat slowly, but he eventually grasped the intricacies of the position, proving to be a trusty target for Tom Brady and recording three 1,000-plus-yard seasons over 12 years. He retired with 620 catches for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns in 11 seasons, adding 118 receptions for 1,442 yards and five touchdowns in postseason action -- including a legendary snag in the Patriots' stunning comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Upon retiring, there was no question whether he'd end up in the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Edelman will enter the club's Hall of Fame alongside former head coach Bill Parcells, who was named a contributor by Patriots owner Robert Kraft earlier in 2025. A date for their induction has not yet been announced.
