It’s time, Julian Edelman.

Yes, that time. Time to retire after a splendid career that will no doubt someday land you in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

The news that the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian broke on Thursday that Edelman wouldn’t be able to play a full 2021 season wasn’t really all that surprising.

Let’s look at the facts. Edelman suffered a season ending knee injury in the preseason of 2017. He rehabbed and returned in 2018, missed minimal time in 2019, but in 2020 he ended up on the COVID reserve list, and also underwent a knee procedure in late October that ultimately ended his season.

He played in just six games. Some 21 catches for 315 yards. He’s 34. He’s been pounded like a battering ram,yet has held on to the football though all the pain. Shoulder. Knee. Chest.

But now to try to keep playing through that pain won’t bring gain. His buddy Tom Brady is no longer here, and who knows whether the 2021 quarterback can even get him the football, especially if it’s Cam Newton.

He’s won three Super Bowls, and even has a staple – his catch in the 28-3 comeback over Atlanta. He ranks second in the NFL all-time in postseason receiving yards (1,442) and receptions (118), along with holding the Super Bowl records for punt returns (8) and first-half receptions in a single game (7).

He’s thrown clutch TD passes with the receiver option that teams never seemed prepared for, even though he was a quarterback in college.

Not bad for a 2009 seventh round pick, right? He brought some moxy and a sense of competitiveness that no doubt was aided by his interaction and rapport with Brady.

The human body always tells athletes when it’s time. Often they don’t listen, sometimes for financial reasons. Drew Brees listened this winter. Dustin Pedroia finally, finally listened, once the dollars could be worked out. Someday Brady will have to listen, but his body is obviously telling him he can still play.

We don’t want Edelman to become the next Pedroia. The Patriots may have to make a move with him anyway, since they likely don’t want to doll out $3.5 million for a part-time player.

We will wait and see in the coming weeks. The roster will be overflowing after the NFL Draft, which is in three weeks. There’s certainly not going to be much room, and only the strong will survive.

Edelman used to be one of the strong. Mentally, he still is. Instinctively, he still is.

Physically, he just isn’t anymore.

Julian Edelman, your body is speaking to you. Listen to it, and do the right thing for your future and quality of life.

And be proud of a fantastic career.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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