Welsh international centre-half Rob Edwards joined Norwich City on loan from Blackpool on 21st February 2011, despite competition from Derby, as cover for the injured Leon Barnett. The 28-year-old centre-half joined until 24th May 2011 but Blackpool can recall him after 28 days. He had played just 4 times for the Seasiders during 2010/11

Edwards started his career at Aston Villa and made eight Premier League appearances following his first-team debut on 28th December 2002, in a 1–0 home win over Middlesbrough.

He was sent on loan to Crystal Palace in November 2003, where he spent one month, playing six games and scoring one goal in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City. Edwards then joined Derby County on loan in January 2004, where he stayed until the end of the season. He scored one goal for the club against Gillingham on 17 January, and played ten games

In May 2004 Edwards was told by then Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, that he could leave the club and he switched to West Midlands rivals Wolves. His Molineux career made a slow start, after playing in the club's opening four league games following the club's relegation from the Premier League, he suffered ankle ligament damage that kept him sidelined for almost six months. However he made 111 appearances in total for Wolves.

In August 2008 he joined Blackpool, where he has played 68 times, including 21 league games en route to the 2009/10 Championship play-off final victory.

"He's got experience and has seen it and done it with Blackpool last year, and he'll be a big asset in the 14 games remaining this season," said City manager Paul Lambert.

Edwards represented England at youth level, but not in a UEFA-recognised game, so qualified for Wales as his parents are both Welsh. He made his debut for Wales before he left Aston Villa, on 29 March 2003, in a 4–0 European Championship qualifying victory over Azerbaijan

Rob made 3 appearances for Norwich before returning to Blackpool where he was released at the end of the 2010/11 season. Rob then signed a two year contract with Barnsley on 1st July 2011, replacing Jason Shackell

Rob was loaned to Fleetwood Town on 10th October 2012. Edwards was looking to rebuild match fitness after a period disrupted by injury. Edwards told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Fleetwood is a club on the up, everything about it is top notch. I'm desperate to get playing and enjoying my football again, and with Fleetwood picking up one or two injuries it works well for both of us."

Rob returned to Barnsley but was loaned to Shrewsbury on 31st January 2013.

Rob was released by Barnsley in May 2013. On 11th October 2013, he announced that he had retired from professional football at the age of 30.

On 11th July 2014, Rob returned to Wolves as their Under-18s coach. He had previously worked part-time at Manchester City's Academy.

In the summer of 2015, he was promoted to the role of first team coach at Wolves.

Edwards was appointed caretaker manager at Wolves when Walter Zenga was sacked on 25th October 2016 after 87 days in the job. Edwards oversaw two games (a 1-1 draw with Blackburn and a 3-2 defeat against Derby) before Paul Lambert was appointed as the new substantial manager of Wolves. Edwards remained as first team coach alongside Stuart Taylor.

Edwards left Wolves on 30th May 2017 along with Taylor and Lambert as a result of a coaching review by the club's owners.

Edwards was appointed manager of Conference North side AFC Telford United on 28th June 2017. He departed the club at the end of the 2017/18 season having guided them to a 14th-placed finish in National League North

On 20th June 2018, Rob returned to Wolves as head coach of their Under-23 side. Sean Parrish will be his assistant, having also served in the role at the New Bucks Head, while former Under-23s chief Scott Sellars has become head of academy player development.Wolves academy manager Gareth Prosser said: "Rob Edwards has come through a recruitment process and we are delighted to welcome him back to the club, as our Under-23 lead coach."

In October 2019 he left Wolves to be a coach for the England Under-20s. On 24th September 2020 he was appointed as head coach for the England Under-16s.

On 27th May 2021 he left the role with England to become manager of League Two side Forest Green Rovers replacing Mark Cooper. Edwards said "This is a club that feels really different from others - and actually does things another way.My conversations with the chairman were incredibly positive, and showed we'll get the time and support we need to go on a winning journey."

In his first season in charge Forest Green secured promotion to League One on 23rd April 2022 and clinched the title with a 2-2 draw on the final day of the season.

On 11th May 2022 he was announced as the new manager of Watford who had just been relegated to the Championship. He replaces Roy Hodgson. Forest Green had earlier said negotiations between Watford and Edwards took place "behind our backs".

After just 11 games, Edwards was sacked by Watford on 26th September 2022 and replaced by former West Ham and West Brom coach Slaven Bilic. Watford owner Gino Pozzo said: "As with all decisions taken by the board, I believe this change to be in the best interests of the club. We felt Rob had enough time to show us the identity of his team, however performances haven't reflected our hopes and ambitions.Now we must move forward, and, in Slaven Bilic, we have secured the services of an experienced coach who has recent experience of promotion to the Premier League."

On 17th November 2022 he was appointed as manager of Watford's arch-rivals Luton Town on a three and a half year contract. He replaces Nathan Jones who left Luton for Southampton. Watford must have wished they had kep Edwards as he took Luton to third place in the Championship and they then progressed to the play-off final on 27th May 2023 at Wembley where they beat Mark Robins' Coventry on penalties after finishing 1-1.

Luton's stay in the top flight lasted one season with them relegated in 18th place on 19th May 2024 in a 4-2 home defeat to Fulham.