New England Patriots: Julian Edelman extremely thankful for contract extension
If anyone deserves to finish his career in a New England Patriots uniform, it is wide receiver Julian Edelman.
He embodies everything that defines what the New England Patriots are about. His versatility and team first mentality runs deep within his veins. A former quarterback converted to wide receiver, Julian Edelman has transcended a seventh-round pick out of Kent State to one of the most productive playmakers in the game.
Above all, the hard work and sweat Edelman leaves out there on the football field is witnessed every single week. At the age of 31, the two-time Super Bowl champion is approaching the game the same way he did his rookie season.
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That effort, along with his dedication to the team, city and continued success earned him a two-year contract extension last week. Now Edelman has a chance to finish his career with the team that gave him a shot. He took a minute to thank the Kraft family and head coach Bill Belichick for their belief in him.
"“I love being a Patriots and we’ll leave it at that,” Edelman said after Tuesday’s workout, via The Boston Herald. “I’m looking forward to the 2017 season. Ready for more time to improve, taking advantage of these few weeks off to go off and work on my own and try to bring everything I have to help this team.”"
Belichick on contract extension
If there has ever been a player who has done everything a coach has asked of him it is Julian Edelman. Troy Brown should get an honorable mention. But, Edelman was a player Belichick drafted and watched grow into one of the best in his position.
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When asked about the two-year contract extension, Belichick applauded Edelman’s toughness and most importantly offered his admiration of how he has grown into a complete, competitive football player.
"“Julian’s improved and done a lot of things that he never did in college, so that was not maybe something that he would have projected or anticipated,” Belichick said of Edelman’s time in New England, via Patriots.com. “But at the same time, he had enough qualities that we drafted him, and he showed that even as a rookie, I think, in terms of his production. Not taking anything away from Julian, but I would have been a lot more surprised at Steve Neal’s career than Edelman’s, let’s put it that way.”"
As the team’s top receiver over the past few seasons, Edelman has proven to be even more valuable in the Patriots’ offense than Wes Welker was.
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His clutch plays in both Super Bowl victories along with his dedication to his teammates has demonstrated his value on and off the football field to the New England Patriots organization.