Sports analyst Bill Simmons suggested the New England Patriots trade Julian Edelman to the Detroit Lions, and it may actually make sense.
In an unconventional offseason in which the New England Patriots have lost Tom Brady through free agency and cut longtime kick Stephen Gostkowski, could another veteran be on the way out?
Ever since Brady shocked the NFL world and walked away from the Patriots to join the high-powered Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, there has been some rumbling about the team trading away Julian Edelman to join his buddy down in Florida.
As the great Deion Sanders analogized in a tweet, Brady without Edelman is like “Jordan without Scottie Pippen” or better yet “peanut butter without jelly.” Of course, once Edelman liked the tweet, social media went abuzz over the speculation.
If @TomBrady goes to the @Buccaneers can @Edelman11 go to? That’s like Jordan without @ScottiePippen ,peanut butter without the jelly and Ice Tea without Sugar. #Truth @nflnetwork #GamedayPrime
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 17, 2020
No way would Bill Belichick trade the team’s best offensive weapon. Would he?
During an appearance on Colin Cowherd’s Fox Sports Radio program Wednesday, columnist, Boston sports fanatic and host of “The Ringer Podcast” Bill Simmons suggested that Julian Edelman could be joining many of his former teammates in Detroit. That’s right, Belichick and Matt Patricia may be putting their heads together to reunite Danny Amendola and Edelman with the Lions.
"“Even the Edelman, it seems like he might be headed to Detroit is that official?” Simmons let slip out."
Cowherd seemed to agree and confirm the suggestion, but would New England Patriots fans go for getting rid of another fan favorite?
Well, approaching his 34th birthday, it may be time for Bill Belichick to get rid of Julian Edelman while he can still get something of value for him. Without Brady, it may be time to move on.
Here are three trade proposals the New England Patriots can dish to the Detroit Lions for Julian Edelman.
Julian Edelman for a third
The New England Patriots have twelve draft picks entering the 2020 NFL Draft, so why not add another?
Coming off a season in which he led the team in receiving yards, could Julian Edelman be worth a third-round pick?
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With the No. 67 and No. 85 overall picks, the Detroit Lions may be willing to part ways for one of them to bring in an on-the-field leader like Edelman, even if he could have one or two more good years left.
While other teams may find a third for Julian Edelman too much, former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may see it as a risk worth taking, especially if he wants to change the culture and attitude of a mediocre team that does have some offensive talent.
The two teams have already pulled off a deal following the start of the new league year with safety Duron Harmon going to the Lions in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Trading Edelman to Detroit would not only further cement Patricia’s team as NFC North version of the Patriots, it will give Belichick another third-round pick to play with.
With a need to get younger and create salary cap space, the deal would help the Patriots, even if it takes away the team’s most reliable offensive threat.
In a deep draft, especially at wide receiver and tight end, that extra pick could be gold for Bill Belichick.
Julian Edelman and a third for a second
Speaking of third-round picks, the New England Patriots could dingle one of the three they have to the Detroit Lions in a package including Julian Edelman for the No. 35 overall pick.
Without a second-round pick, the deal would give Belichick another high-round pick to perhaps select a quarterback or one of the talented tight ends forecasted to go in the late-first round and second rounds.
Bill Belichick may have to throw in a later pick or even a mid-round pick in 2021 to get Patricia to bite, but if the Lions really like the idea of Matthew Stafford throwing to Julian Edelman, getting another third-round pick in the deal may tempt them to part ways with their second, which in a deep draft would be like a late first-round pick for the Patriots.
While losing a player and leader like Julian Edelman wouldn’t be ideal for a New England Patriots team that will have a new quarterback for the first time since 2001, trading him while he still has some value could help the team’s future.
Of course, this depends on which direction Bill Belichick is actually going in. If he hopes to stay competitive, trading Edelman is a no go. Then again, the team moved on from Wes Welker and many other veterans in a similar fashion and have still been competitive.
Knowing this team, they may feel undrafted second-year wide receiver Gunner Olszewski can slide in and be the Julian Edelman replacement.
That would be classic Bill Belichick.
Julian Edelman and picks for Matthew Stafford
Well, the Matthew Stafford to New England Patriots rumor has been floated out there, but would it make sense for Bill Belichick without Julian Edelman in the offense?
The move wouldn’t help the team much as far as salary cap space goes, but it will give them a very talented bridge quarterback who could reach another level playing under Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Bringing in a vet like Stafford would give Jarrett Stidham or whatever quarterback the team selects in the 2020 NFL Draft more time to learn and develop.
If the Detroit Lions are leaning towards selecting Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the third overall pick, then they would be leaning towards moving on from Stafford who is coming off injury. Like Edelman would help a young quarterback like Stidham, he could also help a high-round talent like Tagovailoa.
Along with Julian Edelman, it would take a package of draft capital for the Lions to part ways with Stafford. That wouldn’t be beneficial for the Patriots unless Detroit gets desperate to dump the 32-year-old quarterback for less.
In that case, I could see Bill Belichick pulling off such a deal if he feels it would keep his offense adequate while keeping the New England Patriots overall competitive.
But, even in bringing in a veteran slinger like Stafford, the GM Belichick will still have to bring in some weapons to surround him with, especially if Julian Edelman is the piece to bring him to Foxborough.