Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) walks back to the side line during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Many were shocked that Wes Welker left the New England Patriots. Tom Brady was furious that he left and joined his long time rival in Peyton Manning. But Wes Welker’s agent says New England never made an offer to keep him around.
The deal Wes Welker struck with the Denver Broncos was for 2 years and $12 million, a $6 million per year figure the Patriots weren’t willing to match. A figure that was very similar to the annual sum they gave his replacement in wide receiver Danny Amendola.
There was an initial report that the Patriots offered Welker a two year $10 million dollar deal, that could climb to $16 million with incentives. Not according to Welker’s agent David Dunn.
According to CSNNE.com:
"“The Patriots simply didn’t want Welker is the contention. The two-year, $16 million offer the Boston Globe reported Welker having dangled during the 2010 season that would have covered Welker in 2011 and 2012 never happened, said Dunn.No offer was ever made, Dunn contends. Period.”"
According to Tom Curran’s summary of his conversation with Dunn, the consensus is that Danny Amendola was the Patriots target and plan all along.
Welker’s reps also point to his diminished role in the Patriots offense at the beginning of the 2012 season as proof that they were moving on with out Welker. It wasn’t until the tight end tandem of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez began dealing with injuries did Welker’s role increase.
But there are 3 sides to every story: Welker’s, the Patriots’ and the truth. We might never see the truth though.