Wes Welker To Test NFL Free Agent Market
By Mike Dyce
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Graham (24) during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
It appeared that the New England Patriots and Wes Welker were looking to make a deal before March 12th, the day he’d hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. But it appears now that won’t happen and he will in fact, become an unrestricted free agent.
I woke up to this tweet from ESPN Insider Adam Schefter:
"“Patriots free-agent WR Wes Welker has no plans to re-sign with New England before first testing the free-agent market next week.”"
And this tweet from Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald:
"“Nothing imminent for Welker and the Pats, per source with knowledge of the negotiations.”"
Maybe he got tired of dealing with Giselle after her infallible husband and him lost big game after big game. Who knows?
But with Brandon Lloyd out the door, can they afford to let Welker walk? Who else do they bring in at the wide receiver position, Danny Amendola?
Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk says it could in fact have to do with playing time and the new offensive scheme under Josh McDaniels:
"“[Jason] Cole [of Yahoo!] spoke to a source close to Welker who said that Welker is still “miffed” about the limited playing time and targets he received early last season. It’s left him with “mild disdain” for the team and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and reportedly stuck “in his craw” all season. What’s more, Cole reports that there’s “a little paranoia” in Welker’s camp about what his role in the offense would be if Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are healthy all season.”"
That sounds very Terrell Owens of Wes Welker. Especially considering he’s caught well over a 100 passes in every season as a Patriot except for one and his 118 last season was the third highest total of his career.
But nevertheless, you’d think the Patriots would be more motivated to sign Wes Welker before free agency drives the price tag up. While he is probably inclined to stay with Tom Brady and the Patriots, you’d have to think the right team with the right offer, say Green Bay, could entice him to leave.