New York Giants

Julian Edelman was nearly a Giant, and Tom Coughlin hasn't let it go

Published Nov. 11, 2015 5:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

Over the course of the past three seasons, Julian Edelman has emerged as one of the top receivers in the league. Since the start of 2013, he's recorded 254 catches, 2,667 yards and 17 touchdowns -- numbers any head coach would love to have from his wide receiver.

Tom Coughlin is without a doubt one of those coaches.

What some may not know is that Coughlin and the Giants nearly signed Edelman before the 2013 season. According to NFL.com, the Giants were the only team to host Edelman for a visit during free agency, but he left New York without a contract and was re-signed by the Patriots.

Needless to say, Coughlin hasn't forgotten that missed opportunity, and he regrets not making Edelman a member of Big Blue.

"I was very impressed. I was very, very impressed with the young man," Coughlin said via Jimmy Toscano of CSN New England. "He was very serious. I kind of like those kind of guys. He was serious. He was serious about his business and the game of football and what he was looking for.

"I certainly regret the fact that he's not in this uniform. But that's the way it goes."

Instead of having Edelman on his side, Coughlin is now forced to game plan for him in Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. For Edelman, he may not have found as much success elsewhere. He and Tom Brady have teamed up to become a great quarterback-wide receiver duo and have tormented defenders since joining forces.