Cleveland Browns Should Reach Out To Wes Welker

Here is a typical 2015 Cleveland Browns regular-season preview as were are still several long and hot weeks away from the start of training camp:

The Browns have a solid defense, but the team’s offense is going to be a liability other than what should be a stellar offensive line. Cleveland, on paper, lacks a top-tier quarterback. The team’s running back position is filled with players who have not yet proven that they can consistently contribute in the NFL. There is no true No. 1 wide receiver active on the roster of the Browns. Gary Barnidge may be the best option at tight end.

Woof.

The Browns, like any other NFL team, can have up to 90 players on the field in late July, and thus there are not all that many crazy ideas as it pertains to possible signings that the team could consider making during the summer. Michael Vick is still available. Bring him in. Osi Umenyiora is looking that he can still make an impact on an NFL defensive line. Sure, give him a shot. Wes Welker remains a free agent, and he has not yet given any sign that he is ready to hang up his cleats.

Those running the Browns are silly if they are not calling Welker’s agent as soon as possible.

May 30, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and wide receiver Wes Welker (83) talk during organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sport

Welker’s NFL legacy is one that will be discussed long after he plays in his final game (assuming that he has not already done so). Those who would praise the veteran would point out that Welker redefined what was known as the “slot receiver” position, to the point that he is the greatest to ever play it in the history of the league. Detractors, however, would claim that Welker was more so fortunate enough to play in offensive schemes run by all-time great quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning than he was himself a future Hall of Fame wide receiver.

Say whatever you will about Welker being a “stat stuffer.” The numbers are impressive. He has gone for over 1,000 receiving yards in a season on five occasions. Welker has averaged 11 yards per catch over his career. His best days are unquestionably behind him – a fact shown in that he had 49 receptions and only a pair of touchdowns in 2014 – but the 11-year pro who turned 34-years old earlier this year should theoretically have at least one more solid run left in the tank.

So why isn’t Welker merely enjoying a couple of weeks off of work at a beach somewhere before heading to the training camp of his choice? The easy answer is that he has suffered multiple concussions during his pro career.

There have even been some respected football minds out there who have suggested that Welker should think about his long-term health and retire this summer.

Welker joining up with any team between now and the time that he announces his retirement will first depend on his ability to pass a NFL physical. Knowing what we publicly know about Welker’s status as of July 10, that should not be an issue. The NFL concussion protocol is one that comes under scrutiny every year, but it is one that likely would not prevent Welker from working out with a team leading into August preseason games.

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The Browns are not in a place to be picky regarding the wide receiver position. Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline were both picked up by the club in free agency this past offseason. Neither is a No. 1 option at wide receiver on a winning team. Andrew Hawkins is a diminutive slot receiver who is already on the Browns, but he has never achieved success at the personal or team levels that has Welker over the years. Welker could, at the absolute least, work with Hawkins in practices if not prove to be another offensive weapon for the team, and the veteran should be forced to make a difficult life decision if he is unable to compete with Travis Benjamin, Vince Mayle and Marlon Moore for roster spots.

Welker would, in an ideal situation, link up with what is supposed to be a better offense for what will be the final years of his career. Just one problem: None of those teams are calling. The New England Patriots just won a Super Bowl without Welker. It is obvious that the Denver Broncos are not desperate to retain Welker’s services at the start of training camp. There are no reports out there that the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks or other would-be championship contenders are blowing up Welker’s phone.

In short: Beggars can not be choosers.

Of course Welker would rather play with a Brady or a Manning (either one, really) than with Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel in 2015. Any wide receiver even attempting to break into the NFL would say the same if asked to comment on the matter off the record. You would probably trade whatever amount is in your bank account for $10 million if offered. Welker and you readers have something in common, and that is that you both have to take what you can get in your situations.

This is not to suggest that the Browns would expect Welker to play for peanuts. If Welker were to make it through a training camp and preseason without experiencing any physical setbacks while at the same time showing that he deserves a roster spot, he would probably net something along the lines of a two-year contract that would guarantee him around $3-3.5 million and that could be worth up to $7 million.

That is not an offer that Welker could turn down at his age, even if it is the lowly Browns on the other end of that transaction.

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