FOXBORO – Julian Edelman never wanted to leave. He’s grown too much and made too many memories here in New England with the Patriots. That’s one reason why the wide receiver was elated to sign a two-year extension through 2021 this week.

Of course, Edelman also received a sizeable pay raise.

This week, the 33-year-old inked a two-year, $18 million extension that puts him in position to end his career where it started.

"It's awesome," Edelman [...]

FOXBORO – Julian Edelman never wanted to leave. He’s grown too much and made too many memories here in New England with the Patriots. That’s one reason why the wide receiver was elated to sign a two-year extension through 2021 this week.

Of course, Edelman also received a sizeable pay raise.

This week, the 33-year-old inked a two-year, $18 million extension that puts him in position to end his career where it started.

"It's awesome,” Edelman said on Thursday. “I'm born here in my football career, and I'm going to have a few more years here. And I just want to take a second and thank the Kraft family, coach (Bill) Belichick, Nick Caserio and everyone that was involved, my agents, for getting this done.

"I love being here. I don't want to be anywhere else, and I'm excited for this upcoming year. And I'm excited for this spring to work on our fundamentals and mold our team and keep it going."

On Thursday morning, the full details of Edelman’s new deal were revealed. He received an $8 million signing bonus and can earn different layers of bonuses and incentives over the next three seasons. This year, Edelman can earn $1 million in incentives if he hits 80 and then 90 receptions.

In 2020, the $500,000 catch incentive starts at 60 and goes all the way to 100 catches – earning half a million at every marker. Along with a $250,000 Pro Bowl bonus, he could earn $2.75 in incentives that year. In 2021, the reception incentive starts at 50 catches and again goes up to 100. Add in another Pro Bowl incentive and Edelman could earn an additional $3.25 million in his final year.

Edelman could’ve played out the 2019 season and then enter free agency next March. It would’ve been possible to make more money that way. Of course, his end goal was to always remain a Patriot.

"Honestly, I've always just been worried about what's on my plate at the time and place that I was in at that time,” Edelman said. “Honestly, I didn't want to go anywhere, and I'm not going anywhere. So Boston, I'll be back for a couple more."