Julian Edelman will almost certainly be remembered as a lifelong Patriot, going from reserve at the end of the round to a Super Bowl MVP and one of the most productive wide receivers the NFL playoffs have ever seen. All indications, however, are that 2020 may be his last season in New England. He is older and is leaving knee surgery for a team ready to rebuild, and his release in this off-season would save the franchise about $ 4 million. Coach Bill Belichick, meanwhile, does not seem very confident that the veteran will return.
As the off-season of 2021 approaches quickly, we decided to take a look at where Edelman could land, assuming he played his last game as a Patriot. Here are five logical suitors:
5. San Francisco 49ers
Edelman grew up well in the Bay Area. Entering its 35-year season, the West Coast climate would be a sweeter alternative to Foxborough. More importantly, Niners may need wideouts more than anyone, except … the Patriots? Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are versatile game creators, but Edelman would give them a more reliable intermediate target. It also wouldn’t cost much.
4. New York giants
As a longtime patriot, Edelman knows how aggressive the Giants can be. Better yet, he is praising the passion of coach Joe Judge, who spent eight years alongside the wideout in New England, including one as coach of Edelman’s WRs. Judge, meanwhile, must sever ties with the expensive Golden Tate on the slot machine, leaving a veteran void in position. What better way to help young Daniel Jones in 2021 than to give him a hard-working target at Edelman?
3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have some big decisions to make at WR, where Corey Davis is scheduled to reach the free agency and Adam Humphries looks like a potential victim with $ 21 million due in the next two years. If Humphries leaves, Edelman would be a natural replacement for the slot – an infallible favorite for the constant Ryan Tannehill. GM Jon Robinson was the Scout director for the Patriots when New England summoned Edelman in 2009, and Coach Mike Vrabel ensured his practical training on the Pats.
2. Miami Dolphins
Edelman and Dolphins coach Brian Flores spent 10 years together in New England, so the latter is well aware of WR’s work ethic. More than that, Miami is almost certainly looking for reinforcements in the position, both young and old. Even though he’s running with someone like Lynn Bowden Jr., Edelman makes perfect sense of the world as a short-term building block for an efficient and quick attack led by Tua Tagovailoa. He also may not mind playing with the Patriots twice a year.
1. Cleveland Browns
You wouldn’t necessarily consider them an obvious fit, but the connections are plentiful. Edelman knows the area, starring Kent State, near Cleveland. The Browns’ WRs coach and passing game coordinator, Chad O’Shea, spent 10 years as Edelman’s WRs coach in New England. And Cleveland could use another well-aimed short-range target for the attack it wants to execute with Baker Mayfield. In case they really move Odell Beckham Jr., they will be even more motivated to add WRs to extend their current containment window.