Julian Edelman was re-signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 18, 2014 ... Originally drafted by New England in the seventh round (232nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft ... Re-signed by New England as an unrestricted free agent (4/11/13).
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Julian Edelman was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on March 18, 2014 ... Originally drafted by New England in the seventh round (232nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft ... Re-signed by New England as an unrestricted free agent (4/11/13) .
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Caught the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 2:06 left to play in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 28-24 Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1/15).
- In 2010, set a franchise record for the highest punt return average in a single-season with a 15.3-yard average, which led the AFC and finished second in the NFL behind Chicago’s Devin Hester (17.1-yard return average). Also had a 15.5-yard return average in 2012 but was limited to 17 punt returns in nine games due to injury.
- Holds the franchise record for postseason receptions with 89, third-most in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (151) and Reggie Wayne (93).
- Tied with Deion Branch and Rob Gronkowski for most 100-yard receiving games by a Patriot in the playoffs with four.
- One of 14 players in NFL history with 1,000 yards receiving (1,024) in the playoffs (13th overall).
- Has totaled 164 punt returns for 1,885 yards during his career, an 11.5 average, which is second best in Patriots history and tied for eighth in NFL history.
- Currently holds the team record with four punt return touchdowns.
- Set a franchise record with a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Miami (1/2/11).
- Set career highs with 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns in 2013. Joined Wes Welker and Troy Brown as the only Patriots receivers with 100 receptions in a season and is one of 11 receivers in team history with 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
- Had his second career 1,000-yard receiving season after setting a single-season best with 1,106 yards in 2016. Joined Wes Welker (5), Rob Gronkowski (4), Randy Moss (3), Stanley Morgan (3) and Terry Glenn (2) as the only Patriots players with at least two 1,000-yard seasons.
- Earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation in 2014 after finishing eighth in the NFL with 92 receptions.
- Joined Troy Brown and Wes Welker as the only Patriots with 90-plus receptions in consecutive seasons.
- Completed a 51-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola in the AFC Divisional Playoff win vs. Baltimore (1/10/15), setting an NFL playoff record for the longest pass completion and touchdown pass for a non-quarterback. It was his first career pass attempt and the first touchdown pass by a Patriots player other than a quarterback since 2004.
- Has compiled 44 rushing attempts for 305 yards in his career, most ever by a Patriots wide receiver.
- Posted the longest rush by a wide receiver in franchise history - a 47-yard run in a win vs. Indianapolis (11/18/12).
- Was forced into action as a defensive back due to injuries for eight games in 2011 and made 14 tackles.
SEASONAL REVIEWS
2018 (6/6)
- Started his first game back from a four-game suspension and contributed right away with seven receptions for 57 yards while also handling punt return duties, with two punts returned for 20 yards during the victory vs. Indianapolis (10/4). His 57 yards receiving moved him past Gino Cappelletti for ninth place on the Patriots all-time receptions list, while his seven receptions moved him past Kevin Faulk for sixth place on the all-time reception list.
- Started and caught four balls for 54 yards, including a 17-yard second quarter touchdown reception to give the Patriots a two score lead late in the first half of the victory vs. Kansas City (10/14). Also rushed once for seven yards.
- Made the start at receiver and caught five balls for 36 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown reception to give the Patriots an early 7-0 lead in the win at Chicago (10/21).
- Started at receiver and finished with a game-high 104 yards on nine receptions, marking his first 100-yard effort of 2018 in the win at Buffalo (10/29). Also rushed twice for 13 yards and handled punt return duties.
- Started and caught six balls for 71 yards, while also rushing twice for 28 yards in the victory vs. Green Bay (11/4). Also completed his first regular season pass to RB James White for a 37-yard gain in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 17 that put the Patriots deep into Green Bay territory on the go-ahead touchdown drive.
- Started and caught a game-high nine passes for 104 yards, while also completing a pass that went for 6 yards for the second straight week in the game at Tennessee (11/11).
2017 (0/0)
- Suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was placed on Injured Reserve on Sept 2.
2016 (16/13, 3/3)
- Appeared in all 16 regular-season games with 13 starts and led the team with 98 receptions for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns. Also rushed 12 times for 57 yards, returned 15 punts for 135 yards, three kickoffs for 44 yards and made one special teams tackle.
- Ranked fourth in the NFL with 98 receptions and posted seven or more receptions in a game nine times.
- Started all three postseason contests and led the team with 21 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown. Also rushed twice for 14 yards, returned seven punts for 66 yards and attempted one pass that fell incomplete.
- Posted two 100-yard receiving performances in the regular season:
- Week 13 vs. Los Angeles (8 rec., 101 yds.)
- Week 17 at Miami (8 rec., 151 yds.)
- Compiled two 100-yard receiving performances in the playoffs:
- AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Houston (8 rec., 137 yds.)
- AFC Championship Game vs. Pittsburgh (8 rec., 118 yds.)
- Caught four passes for 37 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady in the third quarter to mark his first score of the season in the win at Buffalo (10/30). His first quarter rushing attempt was his 36th career rushing attempt to push him in front of Irving Fryar for the most rushing attempts by a Patriots receiver.
- Led the team with eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in the win at San Francisco (11/20).
- Led the team with eight receptions for 83 yards in the win at N.Y. Jets (11/27).
- Finished with a team-high eight receptions for 101 yards to mark his first 100-yard game of 2016 in the win vs. Los Angeles (12/4).
- Led the Patriots with five receptions for 89 yards in the win vs. N.Y. Jets (12/24) and also returned two punts for a total of 12 yards.
- Set a career long when he scored on a 77-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the win at Miami (1/1) to finish with eight total receptions for a career-best 151 yards. The performance marked Edelman's 11th career 100-yard game and also led him to finish with his second career 1,000-yard receiving season after setting a single-season best with 1,106 yards. Earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.
- Set a franchise record for most postseason receptions with 76 after turning in an eight-catch performance for 137 yards in the Divisional Round victory vs. Houston (1/14). Marked his third career postseason 100-yard game and also added one rush for 12 yards in the win.
- Became the Patriots all-time leader in postseason receptions after recording nine catches in the Patriots AFC Championship victory vs. Pittsburgh (1/22). Moved past Deion Branch for the most receiving yards in Patriots postseason history. His 118 receiving yards in the game marked the fourth 100-yard game of his postseason career and his second straight 100-yard game of the 2016 postseason. The game also marked Edelman's ninth-straight postseason contest with six or more receptions which is the second-longest such streak in postseason history (Wes Welker, 10 - 2008-14).
- Started at wide receiver and hauled in five passes for 87 yards, including a miraculous bobbling catch between three defenders on the game-tying drive at the end of regulation vs. Atlanta in Super Bowl LI (2/5). Also returned three punts for 40 yards. His five receptions now gives him 89 career postseason catches, good for third all-time in NFL postseason history.
2015 (9/9, 2/2)
- Started all nine games he played in and finished the regular season with 61 receptions for 692 yards (11.3 avg.) and a career-high seven touchdowns. Also returned 10 punts for 81 yards (8.1 avg.) and rushed three times for 23 yards (7.7 avg.).
- Started both playoff games and led the team with 17 receptions for 153 yards (9.0 avg). Also returned one punt for 16 yards.
- Missed the final seven games of the regular season with a foot injury.
- Posted two 10-reception and one 100-yard receiving performances:
- Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh (11 rec., 97 yds.)
- Week 2 at Buffalo (11 rec., 97 yds.)
- Week 5 at Dallas (4 rec., 120 yds.)
- Started at wide receiver and posted a game-high 11 receptions for 97 yards in the win vs. Pittsburgh (9/10).
- Led the team with 11 catches for 97 yards and added two touchdowns at Buffalo (9/20).
- Caught four passes for 120 yards and one touchdown in the win at Dallas (10/11).
- Posted seven receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns vs. Miami (10/29).
- Caught four passes for 53 yards before leaving the game with a foot injury on the final play of the first quarter in the win at N.Y. Giants (11/15).
- Returned to action after missing seven games with a foot injury and tied his career postseason high with 10 catches for 100 yards in the Divisional Playoff victory vs. Kansas City (1/16).
2014 (14/13, 3/3)
- Caught the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 2:06 left to play in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 28-24 Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1/15). Started the game at wide receiver and led the team in receiving with nine catches for 109 yards and one touchdown. Also rushed once for seven yards and returned three punts for 27 yards.
- Started at wide receiver in the AFC Championship win vs. Indianapolis (1/18/15), leading the team with nine catches for 98 yards. Also rushed once for 12 yards and returned three punts for 71 yards (23.7 avg.), with a long of 45.
- Started at wide receiver in the AFC Divisional win vs. Baltimore (1/10/15), leading the team with eight catches for 74 yards and also returning three punts for 45 yards. Edelman also threw his first career NFL pass, catching a lateral from Tom Brady and then completing a 51-yard touchdown pass up the left sideline to Danny Amendola; the longest by a non-quarterback in NFL postseason history. It was also the Patriots first touchdown pass by a non-quarterback since 2004 and the first by a wide receiver since 2001.
- Earned his first career Pro Bowl in 2014 after finishing eighth in the NFL with 92 receptions.
- Inactive at N.Y. Jets (12/21) and vs. Buffalo (12/28) due to injury.
- Led the team with seven receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown in the win vs. Miami (12/14). Also returned two punts for 17 yards and had a six-yard rush.
- Led all receivers with eight catches for a career-high 141 yards, including a career-long 69-yard touchdown in the win at San Diego (12/7). Also returned three punts for 20 yards and had a four-yard rush. It was his sixth career 100-yard game and the first of this season, while his 69-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the longest reception by any Patriots player this season.
- Caught seven passes for 48 yards at Green Bay (11/30).
- Led the team with a game-high 11 receptions for 89 yards in the win vs. Detroit (11/23). It was his fifth career game with 10 or more catches. Also returned one punt for six yards.
- Caught a team-high five passes for 50 yards in the win at Indianapolis (11/16).
- Posted nine catches for 89 yards and one touchdown in the win vs. Denver (11/2). Also earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after returning a second-quarter punt 84 yards for a touchdown, giving him the franchise record for most punt return touchdowns (4).
- Exploded for a season-high 42-yard punt return in the second quarter to set up a Patriots touchdown in the win vs. Chicago (10/26). Also had one catch for 14 yards.
- Caught four passes for 44 yards, rushed once for eight yards and returned a punt for three yards in the win vs. N.Y. Jets (10/16).
- Led the team with nine receptions for 91 yards and rushed once for 10 yards in the win at Buffalo (10/12). Also returned three punts for 12 yards.
- Started at wide receiver in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/5) and caught five passes for 35 yards. Also returned three punts for 12 yards.
- Caught four passes for 23 yards and returned two punts for 10 yards at Kansas City (9/29).
- Led the team with 10 receptions for 84 yards in the win vs. Oakland, extending his streak to nine straight games with at least six receptions. It was his fourth career game with 10 or more catches. Also returned one punt for seven yards.
- Led the team with six receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown in the win at Minnesota (9/14), including a 44-yard catch for the second straight week. Also returned four punts for 66 yards.
- Started in the season opener at Miami (9/7) and led the team with six receptions for 95 yards, all in the first half. His 95 receiving yards were a personal best for a first half, and he also had two rushes for 21 yards and two punt returns for 15 yards.
2013 (16/11, 2/1)
- Played in all 16 regular-season games with 11 starts and led the team with career highs in receptions (105), receiving yards (1,056) and receiving touchdowns (6). Also returned 35 punts for 374 yards.
- Appeared in both postseason contests with one start and led the team with 16 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown.
- Caught seven or more passes in 10 games.
- Eclipsed 100 yards receiving four times:
- Week 4 at Atlanta
- Week 12 vs. Denver
- Week 13 at Houston
- Week 15 at Miami
- Posted 10 or more receptions twice:
- Week 2 vs. N.Y. Jets
- Week 15 at Miami
- Scored two touchdowns twice:
- Week 1 at Buffalo
- Week 12 vs. Denver
- Caught seven passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns at Buffalo (9/8), marking his first regular-season contest with two TD catches.
- Caught a career-high 13 passes for 78 yards and rushed once for 4 yards vs. N.Y. Jets (9/12). Also returned six punts for 72 yards.
- Registered his second career 100-yard receiving performance at Atlanta (9/29) after finishing with seven receptions for 118 yards including a season-long 44-yard catch that helped set up a Patriots touchdown.
- Caught nine passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns vs. Denver (11/24), marking his third career 100-yard receiving game and second of the season. It was also his third career two-touchdown game and second of the season.
- Posted his second straight 100-yard receiving performance at Houston (12/1), catching nine passes for 101 yards.
- Caught six passes for 64 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the comeback win vs. Cleveland. Edelman's TD came with 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter and drew New England to within one possession.
- Tied a career high with 13 receptions and set a career high with 139 receiving yards and a touchdown at Miami (12/15).
- Caught nine passes for 65 yards vs. Buffalo (12/29) and in the process, eclipsed the 100 reception and 1,000 yard receiving marks for the first time in his career. Joined Wes Welker and Troy Brown as the only Patriots receivers with 100 receptions in a season and became the 10th receiver in team history with 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
- Set playoff career highs with 10 receptions and 84 yards and a touchdown in the AFC Championship Game at Denver (1/19).
2012 (9/3, 0/0)
- Played in nine games with three starts and caught 21 passes for 235 yards (11.2 avg) and a career-high three touchdowns. Returned 17 punts for 263 yards (15.5 avg) and tied a team record with his third career punt return for a touchdown.
- Also rushed four times for 45 yards (11.3 avg) and returned three kickoffs for 38 yards (12.7 avg).
- Caught four passes for 28 yards (7.0 avg) and his second career regular-season touchdown reception at Baltimore (9/23). Also returned one punt for 11 yards.
- Was inactive due to injury at Seattle (10/14), vs. Denver (10/7) and at Buffalo (9/30).
- Scored on a 68-yard punt return in the second quarter and also had a 2-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter vs. Indianapolis (11/18) to become the first Patriots player to score on a return and have a touchdown reception in the same game since Irving Fryar vs. Indianapolis on Nov. 10, 1985. Had the longest run from scrimmage for a wide receiver in Patriots history with a 47-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. Also added a 49-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
- Recorded his second straight game with two touchdowns - a 22-yard fumble return on a kickoff and a career-long 56-yard touchdown reception in the win at N.Y. Jets (11/22). Also returned two punts for 32 yards (16.0 avg) and had one rush for three yards. Left the game in the third quarter with a head injury and did not return.
- Was placed on Injured Reserve with a foot injury on Dec. 4, 2012 after suffering the injury in the win at Miami (12/2).
2011 (13/0, 3/0)
- Appeared in 13 games and played offense, defense and special teams throughout the season.
- Caught four passes for 34 yards and rushed four times for 30 yards on offense.
- Compiled 14 tackles during eight appearances at defensive back.
- On special teams, returned 28 punts for 296 yards and a touchdown, 12 kickoffs for 284 yards and made five tackles.
- Was inactive vs. the N.Y. Jets (10/9) and Dallas (10/16) due to injury.
- Was inactive at Pittsburgh (10/30).
- Appeared in all three postseason games and caught two passes for 19 yards and rushed once for -1 yards on offense. Combined for two tackles on defense. On special teams, returned four punts for 35 yards, three kickoffs for 73 yards and made one special teams tackle.
- Earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Wk. 11) after returning a punt 72 yards for a touchdown on Monday Night Football vs. Kansas City (11/21).
- Saw time in all three phases of the game in the AFC Championship vs. Baltimore (1/22). Caught an eight-yard pass, rushed once for a loss of a yard, made one tackle and returned two punts for seven yards.
- Played as a reserve at wide receiver, return specialist and defensive back in the Divisional playoff game vs. Denver (1/14). Caught one pass for 11 yards, made one defensive tackle and returned two punts for 28 yards.
- Saw his first action on defense at the N.Y. Jets (11/13).
- Played in a reserve role at wide receiver and on special teams in Super Bowl XLVI vs. the N.Y. Giants (2/5). Returned three kickoffs 73 yards with a long return of 31 yards. Caught one pass for 11 yards and returned two punts for 28 yards against Denver (1/14).
2010 (15/3, 1/1)
- Played in 15 games with three starts in three-wide receiver sets.
- Finished the season with 21 punt returns for 321 yards and set a franchise record for the highest punt return average in a single-season with a 15.3-yard average. Led the AFC and finished second in the NFL behind Chicago's Devin Hester (17.1-yard return average) with the 15.3-yard average.
- Also had 14 rushing yards on two carries and 86 yards on seven receptions.
- Set a franchise record with a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Miami (1/2). Recorded a career high 40-yard reception from Tom Brady in the first quarter against the Dolphins and a career-high 13-yard rush. Finished with three catches for 72 yards (24.0 avg.), 13 rushing yards, four punt returns for 112 yards and a touchdown, and two fair catches against the Dolphins.
- Registered a then career-long 42-yard punt return in the second quarter at Chicago (12/12). Also had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown called back due to a penalty in the second quarter.
- Started at wide receiver in the postseason game vs. N.Y. Jets (1/16). Had one rush for 11 yards, one reception for 12 yards and returned two punts for 42 yards, including a 41-yard punt return.
2009 (11/7, 1/1)
- Played in 11 games with seven starting assignments and finished the year with 37 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown, 11 kickoff returns for 241 yards, six punt returns for 63 yards and two rushing attempts for five yards. and led the team with six catches for 44 yards with two touchdown passes. Also returned one punt for 28 yards. Became the first Patriots rookie to catch two touchdown passes in a postseason game when he scored on a 6-yard pass from Tom Brady in the second quarter and a 1-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
- Was inactive for the season-opener vs. Buffalo (9/14) and missed four games due to injury: at Tampa Bay (10/25), vs. Miami (11/8), at New Orleans (11/30) and at Miami (12/6).
- Made his NFL debut at the N.Y. Jets (9/20) when he started in place of an injured Wes Welker. Led the team with eight receptions for 98 yards.
- Hauled in his first career touchdown reception at Indianapolis (11/15) on a 9-yard pass from Tom Brady in the second quarter.
- Set career-highs with 10 catches for 103 yards in the regular-season finale at Houston (1/3), seeing increased action following a first quarter injury to Wes Welker.
COLLEGE
- Played in 31 games to finish his career at Kent State with 4,997 yards passing and 2,664 yards rushing.
- Compiled a career high 3,190 yards of total offense in his senior season with the Golden Flashes and finished his career with 30 touchdown passes and 22 rushing scores.
- Was the Golden Flashes' starting quarterback as a senior in 2008, playing in 12 games and completing 153-of-275 passes for 1,820 yards and 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
- Posted record-setting numbers as a redshirt freshman quarterback at the College of San Mateo in 2005.
- Was named the Most Valuable Player in All-State Region I by the California Community College Football Coaches Association.
- Passed for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for a school-record 1,253 yards and 17 scores.
- Helped lead San Mateo to an 8-3 record and second-place finish in the NorCal Conference.
EXTRA POINTS
- Growing up as an undersized quarterback with a good arm and all kinds of athleticism, Julian Edelman had visions of being the next Doug Flutie.
- A quarterback at Kent State, he passed for 1,820 yards as a senior and added 1,551 rushing yards to break the school's single-season record for total offense set by Joshua Cribbs in 2003.
- Had an offer from the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League to play quarterback but chose to switch to receiver and play in the NFL. "It was hard for the fact that you never played the other position [receiver], so you have a huge road ahead of you to learn something at the highest level in the world to it. But the easy part was that you didn't grow up wanting to go to the CFL. I grew up wanting to go to the NFL, having that dream,” he said.
HONORS & AWARDS
- 2016 - AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Wk. 17)
- 2014 - NFL Pro Bowl - AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Wk. 9)
- 2011 - AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Wk. 11)
Standout College QB to NFL Wide Receiver
Edelman began his college football career with a year at the College of San Mateo (Calif.) before transferring to Kent State where, as a senior, he completed 56 percent of his passes (153 of 275 passes for 1,820 yards) with 13 touchdowns. He was also the leading rusher, gaining 1,551 yards on 215 attempts (an average of 7.5 yards per carry) and scoring 13 touchdowns. His offensive numbers broke Kent State’s single-season record for total offense set by Joshua Cribbs in 2003. Said head coach Bill Belichick on the versatility of Edelman: “He played the quarterback position in college at Kent State and all the positions really that he’s played in the NFL – covering kicks, returning kicks, slot receiver, outside receiver, slot defender – he didn’t do any of those things in college. I think that really speaks to his versatility and how much he’s grown as a player and how many things he’s learned how to do that he really didn’t have much experience with in college. I’d say that’s pretty unusual, especially to be as competent in them as he is.”
PERSONAL
- Born May 22, 1986, to Angie and Francis Edelman.
- H As senior at Woodside (Calif.) High School in 2004, led the Wildcats to a 13-0 record and Central Coast Section championship and was named first-team all-league and all-county.
- H Totaled 2,237 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in his high school career and also rushed for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.
- H Majored in business management at Kent State.
