Everybody take a deep breath.....Wes Welker will be staying in New England

 

Relax all you fans of the Patriots, Wes Welker will still be catching balls from Tom Brady. Contrary to all the buzz on Twitter and Facebook, as well as a bunch of podcasts and interviews, you will still see number 83 lining up on Sundays next to Gronk and Hernandez.

I know his agent has stated that Welker will not re-sign with New England without testing the free agent market, that's a bit of a negotiating ploy as well as just good business sense. Would you sign a contract with your employer if you felt other companies would offer more? I would hope you would at least go for the interview to listen, even if your heart was still in your current job. This is Welker's last shot at a big multi-year contract so I am sure his agent will be plugging his numbers to anyone that will listen. Here's the problems that they face in this scenario: ( I might get blasted by Welker fans for the following so I apologize now if my opinions hurt your feelings.)

First- Wes Welker's success comes from the type of offense that the Patriots use more so than his athletic ability. I am certainly not saying that he is a poor, out of shape has been; but really, do you think he would have had three consecutive 100 plus reception seasons playing on 98% of the other teams? The Patriots offense is geared around Tom Brady and what he does best, that being quick counts and short dump offs to any number of targets. There is no single dominant receiver in the Patriot offense and that is why it is so successful. Take for instance the Gronkowski injury of last year. Here we have a TE who had one of, if not the best season that a TE has ever had. His injury would have crippled some other teams but not New England, next guy steps in and the offense continues to prosper. Let's just say that Welker needs the Patriots more than the Patriots need Welker.

Wes Welker: More Than Tom Brady’s Favorite Target

By Steve Coulter

Although his wife maybe getting more publicity these days, New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker is still one of the most impactful offensive players in the NFL.

The 5-foot-9 slot receiver will become one of the most relevant names in the entire league in a few weeks when he becomes a free agent. If New England decides not to sign him to a long-term deal, the former Texas Tech standout could bring his talents elsewhere in the AFC; whether it is to join forces with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers or Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts – it is a move that will cripple the Patriots dynasty and its high-paced, spread offense. 

Welker has caught over 110 passes from quarterback Tom Brady in five of the last six seasons, which makes him arguably the biggest pass weapon in football. Although blasphemous when considering names such as Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald, Welker’s consistency is unmatched and his importance to what New England does offensively is unquestioned – just ask Brady, a three-time Super Bowl Champion.

"Everybody knows how I feel about Wes, our whole team feels that way about Wes," Brady said during his weekly interview with the "Dennis & Callahan Show" on Boston sports radio WEEI. "He's just one of the best players I've played with and played against. He's just a phenomenal player, and he's been the heart and soul of what our team is all about. He's been so selfless, and the way that he carries himself and commits himself to help our team win, it's second-to-none. But like I said, those aren't my decisions."