Julian Edelman explained the message he thinks NFL teams sent by not hiring Bill Belichick
"He’s seen everything through the game."
Julian Edelman’s take on Bill Belichick: The annual NFL coaching cycle has come and gone, but the only available candidate with six Super Bowl wins on his resume remains without a job.
Bill Belichick, who helped the Patriots win six Vince Lombardi trophies (along with two others he won as an assistant coach with the Giants), remains a free agent after mutually parting ways with New England in January. Though Belichick was interviewed multiple times for the Falcons head coaching vacancy, the role ultimately went to former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. No other teams reportedly expressed serious interest.
Exactly why Belichick didn’t get another job has been (and remains) up for debate. His age (Belichick turns 72 in April) is cited as one potential reason, along with his implied desire to continue having control over roster decisions.
For former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, the longtime coach’s continue unemployment speaks to one major theme.
“It just tells me that not everyone is really about winning in this league if you’re not going to hire Bill Belichick,” Edelman said during a recent interview with the “Chasin’ It With Chase Daniel & Trey Wingo” podcast.
“It’s crazy,” Edelman continued. The now-retired wide receiver was originally drafted by Belichick in the seventh round in 2009.
“Yeah, he’s tough. Yeah, he is a force to work with,” Edelman acknowledged of Belichick. “But any team that brings him instantly gets, like, 35 percent better just off rip because of the amount of knowledge he knows, the amount of experience he has. He’s seen everything through the game.”
Edelman acknowledged Belichick’s recent track record fell from his previous standard, but qualified it within the context of the current NFL.
“Yes, he’s had his struggles these last couple of years, but this is a quarterback league,” said Edelman. “You have to find a quarterback regardless of where you are, and he wasn’t able to do that.”
One aspect of the Belichick discussion was summarized by one of Edelman’s former teammates, Danny Amendola, who said that New England teams “worked for Bill, but we played for Tom [Brady].”
Edelman agreed with his fellow wide receiver, but added more to the description.
“That is a true statement, what Danny said,” Edelman acknowledged. “We played for Tom, we worked with Bill, but he also he was like that older uncle, or principal that you liked; he gave you some wisdom here and there, but you were scared of him. He always kept you on thin ice because you always had to be prepared around him.”
Another former Patriot who was part of the interview, Rob Gronkowski, noted that he thinks a year away from the game could be good for Belichick. Gronkowski also had a more distilled take on any team considering his former coach.
“If you want to win, you hire Coach Belichick.”
Trivia: In 2013, Julian Edelman set a career high with 105 receptions in the regular season. Who led the NFL in catches that season?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He played for Washington that season, but had been originally drafted by the Colts out of Division III school Mount Union.
Scores and schedules:
On Monday, Boston University defeated Boston College 4-3 to advance to the final of the men’s edition of the Beanpot. In the other matchup, Northeastern defeated Harvard 3-2 in overtime, setting up the final next Monday at TD Garden.
Tonight, the Bruins return after the NHL All-Star break, hosting the Flames at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Celtics play the Hawks at home at 7:30 p.m.
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Former Patriots’ account of Super Bowl comeback: Chris Long recalled the Patriots’ comeback in Super Bowl LI.
On this day: In 1988, Larry Bird won the NBA three-point contest in style.
Daily highlight: Northeastern’s Gunnarwolfe Fontaine sent the Huskies to the final with this overtime winner.
Trivia answer: Pierre Garcon
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