Wes Welker is one of the players who Tom Brady connected most with in New England, and the two remain close friends to this day.
Welker, who is now the 49ers' wide receivers coach, joined The Greg Hill Show Wednesday as part of Tom Brady Week. The former wide out really wasn't surprised at Brady leaving New England this offseason.
"Not necessarily," he said. "You hate to see it just because he's been there for so long and it is going to be strange to see him in a different uniform and all those different things, but I wouldn't say I was surprised."
As for going to Tampa Bay, Welker is expecting Brady to continue to have the mindset of wanting to prove people wrong.
"I think he's just excited to play football," Welker said. "Tom wants to play ball. I think for him he's excited — he has some weapons down there in Tampa. I think he's excited to get out there and play ball. It is another challenge for him in his mind I am sure of proving people wrong — that he doesn't have to be in New England to be great.
"He will take on that challenge and I guarantee you he will be full steam ahead with it."
On another subject, Welker and his 49ers went to the Super Bowl last season, but fell to the Chiefs. Jimmy Garoppolo was a major topic around the game and afterwards, including rumors that San Francisco could move on from Garoppolo to try and bring in Brady.
Welker was asked about it and he stuck by Garoppolo praising him for the job he's done.
"Jimmy has done a great job for us," he said. "He's been a great leader. Obviously, he got us to the Super Bowl, all those different things. He's done a great job for us. He works his tail off. Guys respect him. He's a great dude who is done a lot of great things on the field. I don't think it was a very tough decision. You'd have to ask Kyle (Shanahan) and John (Lynch) about what their thoughts were or whatever. ... I feel very strongly about Jimmy about what he brings to our team and last year was the first year he played a whole season. He's only going to get better."
