Before Julian Edelman announced his retirement last Monday, the Patriots released him with a "failed physical" designation.
Many wondered why he was released, but the reality is the Patriots did the wide receiver a solid by doing it.
As pointed out by Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, Edelman is now able to collect $2 million in injury protection for 2021. New England will have still have to account for $1.2 million of it when it comes to the salary cap, in addition to $2.67 million in dead cap money.
The 34-year-old was forced to retire because of reoccurring knee issues, including needing knee surgery last October causing him to miss the remainder of the season.
Edelman played every one of his 11 NFL seasons with the Patriots