Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Julian Edelman

Discover the career path of Julian Edelman, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Julian Edelman is a former American football wide receiver who played 12 seasons in the NFL, all with the New England Patriots. After playing quarterback at Kent State, he was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He transitioned to wide receiver and return specialist. Becoming a key offensive player in 2013, Edelman was a consistent presence in the Patriots' receiving group until his retirement after the 2020 season.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1976: Longest Punt Return

During Week 17 of the 2010 season, Julian Edelman's 94-yard punt return touchdown eclipsed an 89-yard return by Mike Haynes in 1976.

2001: Last Punt Return Touchdown

During Week 17 of the 2010 season, Julian Edelman scored the first punt return touchdown by a Patriot in the regular season since Troy Brown returned one against the Carolina Panthers in the Week 17 of the 2001 season.

2004: Led Wildcats to Undefeated Season

In 2004, as a senior at Woodside High School, Julian Edelman led the Wildcats to a 13-0 record, throwing for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also rushing for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

July 16, 2009: Signed with the Patriots

On July 16, 2009, Julian Edelman signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots, which included a $48,700 signing bonus.

August 13, 2009: Made the Patriots Team

On August 13, 2009, in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Julian Edelman returned a punt 75 yards and made the team, surpassing Greg Lewis.

2009: Drafted by the New England Patriots

In 2009, Julian Edelman was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots as a return specialist and wide receiver after playing college football as a quarterback.

2009: Pro Day Performance

In 2009, at his Pro Day, Julian Edelman ran the short shuttle in 3.92 seconds, faster than the fastest time at that year's NFL Combine.

2009: Drafted by Patriots

In 2009, the New England Patriots selected Julian Edelman with the 27th pick of the seventh round (232nd overall) in the NFL draft. He was announced as a wide receiver.

2010: 94-Yard Punt Return Touchdown

During Week 17 of the 2010 season against the Miami Dolphins, Julian Edelman had three receptions for 72 yards and a 94-yard punt return touchdown, which was the longest punt return in Patriots franchise history at the time.

2011: Played as Defensive Back

During Week 10 of the 2011 season against the New York Jets, Julian Edelman played as a defensive back during the fourth quarter due to injuries to the Patriots' secondary.

2012: Increased Snap Count and Punt Return Touchdown

During the 2012 season, Julian Edelman's snap count increased, and he had one of the best games of his career in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, including a 68-yard punt return touchdown, tying the Patriots franchise mark with three punt return touchdowns.

2012: Thanksgiving Day Performance

On Thanksgiving Day in 2012, Julian Edelman scored two touchdowns against the New York Jets, becoming the first player since the AFL-NFL merger with both a receiving touchdown and a return touchdown in consecutive games. He left the game early with a head injury.

April 10, 2013: Re-signed with Patriots

On April 10, 2013, Julian Edelman re-signed with the New England Patriots on a one-year deal.

2013: Primary Offensive Starter

In 2013, Julian Edelman became a primary offensive starter for the New England Patriots.

2013: Breakout Season

The 2013 season was a breakout year for Julian Edelman, as he played in all 16 games, making 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and 35 punt return opportunities for 374 yards.

March 15, 2014: Re-Signed with the Patriots

On March 15, 2014, Julian Edelman re-signed with the New England Patriots on a four-year deal for $17 million.

2015: Puma advertisement campaign and Grammy appearance

In 2015, Julian Edelman appeared in a Puma advertisement campaign. He also presented at the Grammy Awards with teammate Malcolm Butler.

2016: Published Children's Book Flying High

In 2016, Julian Edelman became one of three Patriots to publish a children's book. His book, "Flying High", is about a squirrel named Jules who learns to overcome his physical limitations through hard work and the assistance of a goat named Tom.

Flying High

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June 8, 2017: Contract Extension with the Patriots

On June 8, 2017, Julian Edelman signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension with the New England Patriots, which included $9 million guaranteed through the 2019 season.

October 24, 2017: Publication of Memoir Relentless

On October 24, 2017, Julian Edelman's memoir, "Relentless", written with Tom E. Curran, was published by Hachette Book Group.

Relentless: A Memoir

Check it on Amazon

December 2017: Flying High 2 released

In December 2017, Julian Edelman released a sequel to his children's book, Flying High 2, which was loosely based on his "greatest Super Bowl catch" against the Atlanta Falcons.

Flying High 2

Check it on Amazon

2017: Edelman's ACL tear

In 2017, Julian Edelman suffered an ACL tear, which was later documented in the 2019 Showtime documentary "100%".

2017: NFL Going Global: Edelman & Amendola special

In 2017, Julian Edelman, along with teammate Danny Amendola, was featured in a 30-minute NFL Network special, "NFL Going Global: Edelman & Amendola", which chronicled their promotional trip to Mexico City before the Patriots' game there.

February 2018: Expected to be ready to play by training camp

In February 2018, it was reported that Julian Edelman was expected to be ready to play by the 2018 training camp after recovering from an injury.

2018: Edelman's performance during the 2018 season

In 2018, Julian Edelman caught 74 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns. He played against the Indianapolis Colts and caught seven passes for 57 yards. Three weeks later against the Buffalo Bills, he had nine receptions for 104 yards. During a Week 10 game against the Tennessee Titans, Edelman posted nine receptions for 104 yards. On December 29, he was fined $63,504 for personal foul penalties. The Patriots finished with an 11-5 record.

2018: Edelman's 2018 NFL season

In 2018, Julian Edelman's NFL season was later documented in the 2019 Showtime documentary "100%".

May 21, 2019: Contract Extension with the Patriots

On May 21, 2019, Julian Edelman signed a two-year, $18 million contract extension with the Patriots with $12 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through the 2021 season.

2019: Co-founded Nuthouse Sports and released 100% documentary

In 2019, Julian Edelman co-founded a production company, Nuthouse Sports, and their first venture was the 2019 Showtime documentary "100%", about Edelman's recovery from a 2017 ACL tear and the 2018 NFL season.

2019: Grammy appearance

In 2019, Julian Edelman presented at the Grammy Awards with teammate Devin McCourty.

2019: Edelman's performance during the 2019 season

In 2019, during Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Julian Edelman caught five passes for 53 yards and threw a 15-yard touchdown to Phillip Dorsett II. Two weeks later against the Houston Texans, Edelman had six receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. In the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, Edelman recorded three receptions for 26 yards, reaching 100 receptions on the season. He finished the 2019 season with 100 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns.

October 25, 2020: Edelman plays his final game

On October 25, 2020, Julian Edelman played his final game, which was a 33–6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the game with a 13-yard reception.

January 1, 2021: Edelman would not be activated before the end of the season

On January 1, 2021, head coach Bill Belichick announced that Julian Edelman would not be activated before the end of the season.

April 12, 2021: Edelman Announces Retirement

On April 12, 2021, Julian Edelman announced his retirement from the NFL after 12 seasons with the Patriots, following the termination of his contract due to a failed physical. Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft praised Edelman's competitiveness, toughness, and success.

April 2021: ViacomCBS deal and Inside the NFL analyst

In April 2021, after Edelman's retirement, ViacomCBS signed a multi-year development deal with Coast Productions, and Edelman joined "Inside the NFL" as an analyst.

August 2022: Co-hosting Games with Names podcast

In August 2022, Julian Edelman along with comedian Sam Morril began co-hosting an iHeartMedia podcast, "Games with Names".

November 25, 2022: A Football Life episode about Edelman aired

On November 25, 2022, the NFL Network documentary series "A Football Life" aired an episode about Julian Edelman, highlighting his career and life.

2022: Edelman Nominated for Sports Emmy

In 2022, Julian Edelman was nominated for a Sports Emmy for his first season on Inside the NFL.

2023: Continued hosting Games with Names podcast

In 2023, Julian Edelman continued to host the show "Games with Names" by himself after Sam Morril left the podcast.

October 15, 2024: Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules podcast debuted

On October 15, 2024, the “Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules” podcast, a production of Nuthouse Sports, debuted.

October 2024: Partnership with Rob Gronkowski on Nuthouse Sports and Dudes on Dudes podcast

In October 2024, Julian Edelman and Assaf Swissa partnered with Rob Gronkowski on Nuthouse Sports. Their first production together was the podcast “Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jules” which debuted on October 15, 2024.