Carl Edwards hires agents for broadcasting, acting, probably isn’t saving your favorite team

HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03: Former NASCAR driver Carl Edwards looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 03: Former NASCAR driver Carl Edwards looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 3, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /
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Even though it would be great to have Carl Edwards return to NASCAR next season, his latest move virtually assures that’s not happening.

It’s been a lot of fun attaching the name of Carl Edwards to the most high profile openings in this latest and craziest NASCAR Silly Season. Dale Earnhardt Jr. retiring? Maybe Hendrick calls Edwards. The Stewart-Haas Racing Fords down a few drivers? Well, Edwards did drive a Ford for a long time …

In truth, though, Edwards has stuck to his guns about being retired from active competition, even as he took some pains to say those exact words. So what’s next for him?

Whatever it is, he’s taking steps to start the ball rolling. Sport Business Journal reports that Edwards has secured the services of agents at ICM Partners for “marketing, speaking, broadcasting, literary, acting and other endeavors.” In other words, things other than driving a race car.

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It’s possible that Edwards really did harbor thoughts of returning to NASCAR but simply sees the reality of the current landscape with regard to sponsorship and the general youth movement among many teams. That’s not to say that he couldn’t return to the fold if that’s what he really wanted — one would expect that many companies would rather have a proven commodity like Edwards in terms of brand representation and on-track performance than many other options — but if his heart isn’t 100 percent in it, this is hardly the time for a comeback.

Next: NASCAR Playoffs standings after Chicagoland

Regardless of his motivations, the timing of his hiring of agents for non-racing purposes is interesting, because it should finally kill off most of the rumors of him riding to the rescue of one NASCAR team or another. On the other hand, you know what they say about how hope springs eternal …