One of the most prolific receivers in NFL postseason history, Edelman will be inducted alongside former NFL head coach Bill Parcells, whose Hall of Fame career includes leading the Patriots to the franchise's second Super Bowl berth and the first one under current team owner Robert Kraft.

Vautour went on to detail how the Patriots choose new Hall of Fame members and how it needs to change. He sees it as necessary when a major Super Bowl hero disappears into the sunset and can get easily trumped by former players who play higher-profile positions and or receive bigger accolades — both the case for Edelman.

Football fans are well aware by now of Edelman's journey on the gridiron. A quarterback at Kent State, he transitioned to wide receiver in the pros after the Pats selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft.