(Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Once Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman announced his retirement on Monday after a 12-year career with New England, the first narrative on Twitter was whether Edelman belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Twitter account even mentioned that Edelman is eligible for the Hall in 2026.
Most people think the notion of Edelman being a Hall of Famer is out of line, but some people legitimately think he belongs in Canton. And it's not just people in Boston, but for the most part, it is.
Edelman had a great career and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Super Bowl MVP. Edelman was clutch and made big plays when they mattered the most. He ranks second all-time in postseason receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,422), but he also had just five touchdown receptions in the playoffs.
Being productive in the postseason is definitely a noteworthy accomplishment, but it's not the be-all-end-all when it comes to being a Hall of Famer.
I mean, Hines Ward hasn't even made the final ballot for the Hall of Fame in the five years that he's been eligible, and he has by far better career numbers than Edelman.
Ward's stats: 1,000 receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns, four Pro Bowls, named second-team All-Pro three times, two-time Super Bowl champion and was the MVP of Super Bowl XL.
Edelman's stats: 620 receptions for 6,822 yards, 36 touchdowns, no Pro Bowls, no All-Pro nominations first or second team, three-time Super Bowl champion and the MVP of Super Bowl LIII.
If Edelman belongs in Canton, then Hines Ward definitely should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are tied with one Super Bowl MVP apiece, Edelman has three Super Bowl rings to Ward's two and has better playoff numbers than Ward, but not by much. In 19 playoff games, one more than Ward's 18, Edelman has more playoff receptions and receiving yards, but he has just five postseason touchdown receptions compared to Ward's 10. Ward is also tied for fifth in postseason receptions (88) and ranks eighth in receiving yards (1,181) in the playoffs. That's it though. Ward wins in everything else -- receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, Pro Bowls and All-Pro nominations.
Nick Wright of "First Things First" even thinks it's ridiculous to suggest that Edelman belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"Can we compare (Edelman) to Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward?" Wright said. "There's a little shy, then there is one guy who basically doubled the other guy's production. Hines Ward might not get in (the Hall of Fame), and I would argue probably shouldn't. And Julian Edelman isn't in the neighborhood of Hines Ward."
Wright then showed a graphic of wide receivers who have comparable stats to Edelman. Those receivers were Deion Branch, Wayne Chrebet and Santonio Holmes. Edelman has 36 career touchdowns just like Holmes. Wright also mentioned that Holmes was a Super Bowl MVP, as well, and joked "where was this for Holmes" in regards to people making a Hall of Fame case for him.