WATCH: Julian Edelman reflects on his career with the Patriots, looks ahead to Tom Brady’s return

Julian Edelman’s final NFL game was less than ceremonial. He had just one catch as the Patriots lost 33-6 to the San Francisco 49ers in an empty Gillette Stadium.

Edelman will finally get his deserved fanfare on Sunday, when the Patriots will honor him at halftime of their game against the New Orleans Saints. It’s an event Edelman says he’s truly looking forward to.

“It will be very cool to see the fans,” Edelman shared while speaking with Patriots media on Thursday. “You forget that with last year – how import, and how electric and energizing the fans bring the stadium. My last game, we didn’t play in front of anyone. It’s going to be a fun experience. I’m looking forward for my young girl and my family to be there and see it.”

“It’s definitely going to hit my soul. It will be the first time I see the guys and not play with them,” Edelman continued. “It is going to be interesting, and [to be honest] I don’t know what to expect.”

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  Although Edelman hasn't played an NFL game in over a year, he says he hasn't done too much reminiscing on his career just yet. "I really haven't reflected like that crazy on it quite yet, because you just transition into putting your energy into other things, and that's where I'm at," he explained. "But I've definitely thought about that original grind, which was like the foundation of my career. I had to work so hard to make that. Then once I earned a role, and earned an opportunity - keeping that mindset."
  
  One of the 'other things' Edelman has been putting energy into is his new role as an analyst on Inside the NFL. So, what does media Edelman think of this year's Patriots team? "The team is looking pretty good honestly, for the amount of new players that they have," he said.
  
  He also made a point of praising the Patriots' rookie quarterback, Mac Jones. "Mac, seeing his progression each and every week - he's been playing pretty well. I know that he hasn't lit up the scoreboard and all that, but you can see that baby steps are progressing," Edelman explained. "Thus far he's been looking good. There's going to be some bumps in those roads, but we'll see how he reacts. I like his demeanor and I think he's a stud."
  
  Where Edelman did get a little retrospective was when he was asked what he believes what was the defining moment of his career. "My favorite play was that 3rd & 14 in the '14 Super Bowl, where Kam Chancellor took my head off in the middle of the fiend and I tried to get up and run," he recalled. The play is often cited as one of the most important of the Patriots' second dynasty. "That was fun. That was a play that was kind of like a little microcosm of my career that I tried to uphold."

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  Asked about his former coach, Edelman said, "I have a crazy amount of respect for Coach Belichick, I love the guy. Yeah, he may have been hard to play for, and, y'know, we all know coach Bill. But he ultimately was the guy who gave me the opportunity to fulfill a dream of mine. I've learned so much from him."
  
  Edelman's NFL career was a dream in itself, but he said the ending was special too. "Retiring as a Patriot, it's like a dream," he noted. "I always loved the guys that played on one team, and for a football player to have an entire career on one team, one franchise, I feel like it's a pretty cool thing," he explained. "That was a dream of mine, honestly."
  
  Finally, of course, Edelman was asked about his former quarterback returning to Foxborough next week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It’s kind of like going to a family barbecue and you're the kid who has divorced parents and you don't know how to react," Edelman said on his feelings regarding the game. "You think ‘Will it be weird?’ It’s going to be interesting, but I'm excited."
  
  Who will he be rooting for though? "Foxboro, man," Edelman answered confidently. "I want the Patriots to win, but I want Tom and Gronk to do well too. Most importantly for everyone to stay healthy. Maybe a little Mac comes out at the end."

You can watch Edelman’s full press conference on the Patriots’ YouTube channel below.

MORE: Josh McDaniels says he isn’t holding Mac Jones back

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.