Julian Edelman doesn't rule out possible return to the NFL

Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman's playing days in the NFL may not be over just yet. 

Edelman, 36, retired from the NFL in 2021 after 11 seasons but didn't rule out a return to the league when asked recently during an appearance at the Sunset Sports Media Festival in Zadar, Croatia. 

Along with questions about coming out of retirement, the topic of joining up with old pal Tom Brady in Tampa Bay also came up. 

"I don't know, we'll see," Edelman said of joining Brady with the Buccaneers via Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post. "That's called a little teaser. We'll see. We're staying in shape but you never know. But I'd probably go back to the Patriots. I love the Patriots. Foxborough forever." 

Since retiring, this is the first time Edelman has hinted at a possible return to the NFL. 

Shortly after deciding to step away from the game, Edelman was rumored to join tight end Rob Gronkowski to reunite with Brady last offseason. 

"My knee's breaking down, I'm not gonna sit here, you know, I got everything I wanted," Edelman told Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper in May 2021 about a possible comeback. "I got three rings, played in a magical dynasty, with an unbelievable franchise coach, best quarterback of all times, like, yo, I'm not a greedy guy. I played to win, I played to compete, I don't need anything else to prove. I'm good with what I did, I left it all out on the field." 

In New England Patriots' franchise history, Edelman ranks second in career receptions (620), fourth in receiving yards (6,822), and ninth in touchdowns (36).