If New England Doesn’t Want Wes Welker Someone Certainly Will

When the franchise tag was placed on New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker there wasn't really a reason for the nine-year pro to be concerned. After all, the guy just has 100+ receptions in four of the last five years, around 6000 yards and 31 touchdowns in that span. Who would not want him?

It was a little surprising that the team did not negotiate a long-term deal with him prior to the start of the season. Players like to have a little security and feel like they are wanted. The Patriots couldn't be thinking of ditching Welker, could they? As strange as it might seem that is exactly what is going on...

Why they would do so is understandable; Welker isn't exactly young anymore and has a history of injuries. Combine the two and you have the recipe for a guy on the verge of a big decline. If the beginning of the season is any indication his diminished role in the offense to start the season makes it appear that the team is thinking just that.

Not good for Welker. Without playing he can't show the rest of the world that he still has the magic to be a marquee player. He needs game time in order to basically ‘audition’ for the rest of the NFL. After the first two weeks it appeared as if he wasn't going to get much of a chance, but then the injury bug struck the Patriots, and the team had no choice but to play him more.

And play he did! In the last three weeks he has 30 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown. His season totals of 38 receptions and 484 yards both rank among the best in the NFL. Is there any team in the league that would not want a guy like that on its roster?
 
Welker knows he's playing well, and it has to feel good considering the back seat he was being told to take prior to all the injuries. Following last Sunday’s 13-reception performance against the Denver Broncos it was easy to see that he was feeling good about himself and wasn't concerned with towing the company line ad being a good boy:

It’s kind of nice to stick it in Bill’s face every once in a while,” Welker said with a smile and a wink. “So this is definitely a good one.”

He later tried to brush the comments off as a joke, but he had already accomplished what he subconsciously set out to do. Welker basically told Belichick that he does not fear him; that he’s going to do what he’s going to do regardless of the consequences. If the team doesn't keep him after they see what he does for someone else they'll wish they had.

For all intents and purposes, it appears as if his future with the team is already sealed. All Welker can hope for is to continue playing like he has been to prove he is worth a nice, hefty contract from the highest bidder in the off-season. There will most certainly be bidders lining up for the chance to take him off the hands of the Patriots.