The New England Patriots signed receiver Julian Edelman to a two-year contract extension worth up to $18 million with $12 million guaranteed. Edelman, 33, was on the final year of a two-year, $11 million contract extension from 2017.
What it means for Edelman
His career earnings may still pale in comparison to someone who has been as consistently productive as Edelman has been during his career. Admittedly, he’s missed a lot of games with injuries and, in 2018, a suspension. But in 10 seasons, he will have made just $26.5 million, which is what some receivers, like Allen Robinson, T.Y. Hilton and Alshon Jeffery, will make in two seasons. That’s, in part, because Edelman entered the NFL as a developmental prospect, who was converting from quarterback to receiver. But since then, he’s helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LIII when he was the game’s MVP.
Edelman absolutely deserved this new deal, and probably deserved something even larger, considering his past successes with four seasons of 800 yards or more and a handful of postseason receiving records. He’s the type of player that Bill Belichick likes to build his team around: clutch, unselfish, hard-working and a relentless competitor. But because of all that, Edelman has also likely settled for discounts to stay with New England and win championships with Tom Brady. The Patriots are surely hoping they can get Edelman playing through 2021, when he’ll be 35 years old.
