It was a simple announcement on the NFL transactions wire on Monday afternoon, but it could make a significant financial difference for Julian Edelman in the long term. Before he officially retired from pro football, after all, the New England Patriots officially released one of the most prolific players in franchise history.
The league’s personnel notice in its bureaucratic simplicity had to say the following about the move:
TERMINATION OF VESTED VETERAN
NEW ENGLAND
Edelman, Julian WR Kent State
Failed PhysicalThe Patriots releasing Edelman was not just a prelude to the retirement that was the follow, the team actually did a favor by going down this road instead of having him step away in traditional fashion.