Since Julian Edelman retired last month, there have been plenty of rumors that this is a faux retirement, just like Rob Gronkowski's and that Edelman is going to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tom Brady, Gronk and Edelman reuniting with the Buccaneers would be an almost unheard of phenomenon in sports. Three superstar teammates all leave the team at different times, under very different circumstances, and then all reunite on another team. The situation is made even funnier when you consider the context that the three left the cold New England winters for the tropical climate of Tampa Bay.
However, Edelman has squashed these meme dreams in a recent tweet.
Ain’t going any where Bubs #foxboroforever
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) May 2, 2021
This may disappoint many NFL and Buccaneer fans, but it is important to respect Julian Edelman's decision. Football is an incredibly violent sport and multiple long-term NFL players, specifically non-quarterbacks, have a history of head trauma and other horrible injuries. Edelman has likely made the decision to retire with his health and other factors in mind.
Edelman is 34 years old and getting to a point where most athletes begin to show decline. He has forgone the long fall from relevancy most athletes, aside from those like Tom Brady and LeBron James, experience. Going out in a graceful manner can both help and hurt players prospects at making the Hall of Fame. It helps by keeping the memories of a player's peak at the top of voters' minds. It hurts because the player does not get to rack up more counting stats that many voters like to look at.
Edelman will have an interesting Hall of Fame case when his time comes, but it's likely safe to say that his time in the NFL is truly done.
Sorry, Buccaneers.
Follow Us
Subscribe