Julian Edelman enjoyed an outstanding NFL career. But there's no way he belongs in the Hall of Fame, at least as long as Hines Ward remains out of Canton.
When Edelman announced his retirement Monday, there were predictable proclamations about his greatness, including his place in NFL history. Undoubtedly, Edelman is one of the best postseason receivers of all-time, finishing with the second-most playoff receptions ever — only trailing Jerry Rice. He was Tom Brady's favorite target and played an integral role in three Super Bowl wins, even once winning MVP honors. Edelman's spot in NFL lore is indelible.
But his numbers are not Hall of Fame worthy, and pointing that out doesn't mean one is ready to "make out with a spreadsheet," as Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer crudely commented. It just means you are viewing Edelman's career honestly.
Ward was a top receiver for almost a decade, catching an average of 86 passes for 1,015 yards per season from 2001-10. Overall, Ward finished his career with 1,000 receptions, 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns.
Oh, and he also won two Super Bowls, with an incredible MVP performance in Super Bowl XL: five catches, 123 yards, one touchdown. During his career, the Steelers won 140 regular season games. Their 12 playoff wins over that span were second only to New England's.
Ward garnered 244 receiving yards in his three Super Bowl appearances. He's third on the all-time playoff reception list.
Meanwhile, Edelman's run of excellence lasted six full seasons — about four years less than Ward's. Though Edelman was drafted in 2009, he didn't find his way into the starting lineup until 2013. He also missed the 2017 season with an ACL tear and 17 games in 2015 and 2020 combined. His lack of longevity is reflected in his career numbers: 620 receptions, 6,822 yards, 36 touchdowns.
Though Edelman was the most important receiver on the Patriots, he was never considered one of the best in the league. The beloved pass-catcher was never named to a Pro Bowl. Ward made four straight from 2001-04.
Perhaps most impressively, Ward achieved all of his success in a run-first offense, and he was also regarded as one of the greatest blocking receivers in league history. The Steelers averaged 5.3 yards per rush with Ward on the field, compared to 4.1 yards per carry when he was on the sidelines.
And yet, Ward has been snubbed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for five straight years. He was a better receiver than Edelman for a longer period of time. Inducting Edelman ahead of him would be a great gridiron insult.
