As I’ve written here before, Mike Reiss’ Sunday notes column for ESPN.com should be required reading for all Patriots fans, regardless of how closely you follow the team. Diehard, casual, whatever - it’s routinely both digestible and informative.
What stood out to me this week was Reiss’ tidbit about newly hired head coach Mike Vrabel’s search for the Patriots’ next wide receivers coach:
“Wes Welker, who coached receivers in San Francisco (2019-21) and Miami (2022-24), is among the options the Patriots have considered, according to league sources. Welker's coaching career began in Houston under Bill O'Brien in 2017, when Vrabel was defensive coordinator.
“And, of course, he played for McDaniels in New England. So, there's history there if both sides feel it's a fit.”
Welker spent six of his 12 seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, having one of the most dominant stretches a receiver has ever had in a New England uniform. Welker was an All-Pro selection four times - twice on the first-team - and made the Pro Bowl in five of his six seasons. He led the NFL in receptions three times, and is a member of the All-2000s, All-2010s and All-Dynasty Teams for the franchise.
Before it was Brady-to-Gronk and Brady-to-Edelman, it was Brady-to-Welker at a rate we had never seen for the quarterback with a singular pass catcher in his career. Welker’s ability to get open and be sure-handed underneath the defense was something to behold, and is unfortunately forgotten-in-time at times due to Super Bowl losses in 2007 and 2011 - with much of the blame for the latter falling in his hands from fans.
Before arriving in New England, Welker was an underrated commodity across the league. Listed at only 5-foot-9, the Texas Tech-product went undrafted after a brilliant four-year career with the Red Raiders. After making the Chargers opening day roster out of camp, Welker was cut after one game by Marty Schottenheimer to make room for a journeyman safety claimed off waivers.
Upon being released, Welker signed with the Dolphins, where he became a standout on special teams. His best game during his rookie campaign came against the Patriots, as Welker became the second player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt, kick an extra point and a field goal, and make a tackle in a single game. This performance led to an AFC Special Teams Player of the Week win, and eventually a spot on the 2004 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Despite two more seasons of inconsistent contributions on offense in Miami, it was clear that the special-teams-obsessed Bill Belichick remembered Welker’s 2004 game against New England, as the head coach/general manager traded a second round pick for the Dolphins wideout ahead of the 2007 season.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
After his time in New England, Welker went on to play with Peyton Manning in Denver. Quickly becoming Manning’s safety valve on his way to his fifth-and-final MVP award, Welker helped lead the Broncos to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII, beating the Patriots on the way there in the AFC Championship Game.
But it was never the same for Welker after that 2013 season, as multiple concussions for the diminutive receiver led to his final season of football in 2015.
So yes, Welker is as decorated as any position coach in the NFL. But can he coach receivers at a high level?
Here are some of the big names he has crossed paths with so far through stints with the Texans, 49ers and Dolphins as their wide receivers coach:
- DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (2017-18)
- Demaryius Thomas, Texans (2018)
- Emmanuel Sanders, 49ers (2019)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (2019-21)
- Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (2019-20)
- Mohamed Sanu, 49ers (2020-21)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (2020-21)
- Jauan Jennings, 49ers (2021)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (2022-24)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (2022-24)
- Braxton Berrios, Dolphins (2023-24)
- Odell Beckham Jr., Dolphins (2024)
In addition to coaching some of the best players at the position, Welker has now coached within two different systems that will be a big part of what the Patriots do on offense moving forward.
During his time in Houston, Welker coached within then-head coach Bill O’Brien’s offense, the roots of which coming from the Josh McDaniels-run “Erhardt-Perkins” offense. With McDaniels returning to New England for a third stint as offensive coordinator this offseason, Welker would fit right in.
During his time in San Francisco and Miami, Welker coached within the “Shanahan-McVay” offense - the system that teams across the NFL are continually trying to emulate. With Vrabel hiring former Rams assistant head coach Thomas Brown as his passing game coordinator, as well as former Rams game management assistant John Streicher in an "Ernie Adams-like role," it’s clear the new regime will be looking to include shades of the league’s hot offense in whatever system they plan on building in New England for 22-year-old Drake Maye.
So while a Welker-Patriots reunion is not official, it has all the makings of a hire that would make sense on this new-look New England coaching staff.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on the Patriots’ coaching staff in the coming weeks.