Ex-Patriots WR Julian Edelman finally acknowledges he’s not coming back to NFL

In this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 file photo New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman gives a post-game interview (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
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Though he technically retired in 2021, Julian Edelman hasn’t been shy about a potential comeback.

Whether it was saying that his knee was feeling “extremely better” and not ruling out a comeback in August, or that teams had reached out to him in December, Edelman’s name stayed in the news this season.

He finally put the notion of a comeback to bed on Pardon My Take this week though.

“I’m done, boys,” Edelman said. “You can’t be two years out of the game coming in at 37 with knee braces and taped ankles thinking you’re going to go out here and compete against these young bucks.”

In typical Edelman fashion, afterwards he cracked: “I mean, I’ve definitely got like seven, eight plays a game.”

One of Edelman’s long-time teammates could join him in retirement this offseason. On “Inside the NFL,” Edelman offered his prediction on what will come next for Tom Brady.

“If he has another season, it’s not going to be in Tampa Bay,” Edelman said. “Tom is a businessman. Tom is a smart guy. He’s going to do exactly what he did when he left New England. He’s going to go to the best situation that helps him win if he wants to continue his playing career.

“He’ll probably sit these next two weeks and he’ll hang out with his family,” Edelman said. “He’ll assess the situation. I’m sure he has a routine now because he’s probably been thinking about this these last three or four years: ‘Am I going to play? Am I not going to play?’ I’ll give him a call and bug him a couple times and see if he’ll give me anything. He probably won’t, but I’ll let you guys know in a couple weeks.”

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