Julian Edelman may not make the Hall of Fame, but his legacy will live on more than many who did.

Most players who finish their career with 6,822 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns are merely footnotes in NFL history. After all, Julian Edelman’s career numbers are much closer to Randall Cobb than they are to Julio Jones.

Julian Edelman was never a top-five wide receiver in the league nor did he ever make a pro bowl or an all-pro team. But his ability to show up in big games has solidified his spot in NFL history. Even if it doesn’t include a ticket to the hall of fame.

When it comes to postseason success, there are few players ever that accomplished what Edelman did. He’s second all time in playoff receptions and receiving yards, has three Super Bowl rings, and a Super Bowl MVP.

Edelman also has a claim to one of the most memorable plays in NFL history. His incredible catch off a deflected pass late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 51 played a monumental role in the Patriots’ legendary comeback.

There a few teams in NFL history as iconic as the Patriots during the Tom Brady era. You simply can’t talk about the Patriots’ 2010’s run without talking about the heroics of Julian Edelman.

From catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl 49 to making one of the greatest catches ever in Super Bowl 51, to winning the game’s MVP in Super Bowl 53, Edelman made his mark on every championship team he played on.

Edelman was obviously a good player, but it was his competitive spirit and performances on the big stage that made him so much more memorable than the numbers will ever indicate.

At the end of the day, I find it highly unlikely Julian Edelman will end up in the hall of fame. Regardless, his career was filled with so many unforgettable moments that his lasting legacy will match many of those who are in Canton.