Julian Edelman hasn't played in a game since Week 7 and it doesn't look like that will change the rest of the season.
As expected, Edelman was not activated off injured reserve for Monday's game against the Bills and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport adds his season is almost certainly over and "at age 34, his future is uncertain, as well."
It will be an interesting offseason for the wide receiver.
Edelman is under contract next season with the Patriots for a base salary of $2.8 million and a cap hit of $6.1 million. With that being said, the team has an opt out of just $2.66 million of dead cap money, so it's reasonable the team could move on if he decides to continue playing.
And that's where the offseason will start -- does Edelman want to play a 12th NFL season?
Needing a knee procedure in October, and battling knee injuries the last few seasons, it's clear he won't be 100%, but given his toughness and skillset, he certainly could help a team in some capacity.
The next question is, if he does want to play in 2021, will that be with the Patriots?
Edelman is certainly a great player for younger receivers to look up to and learn from, but does the wide out want to play for the Patriots, who will be rebuilding? In addition, do the Patriots want him back, or do they want to go in a different direction and look to start fresh and get younger at the position?
If Edelman wants to come back and is released by the team, he certainly will have a market, especially from a team that is in the playoff mix looking for a dependable receiver to put them over the top.
People have already speculated Tampa Bay could be interested in reuniting him with Tom Brady. Certainly, stranger things have happened.
If Edelman has indeed played his final game, in New England or just in general, it truly was a terrific career and he will go down as one of the clutchest, toughest players ever to wear a Patriots uniform.
