Wes Welker could be returning to the Patriots
The New England Patriots have been busy filling out their coaching staff. Ever since Mike Vrabel became head coach, he has brought back Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator, hired Terrell Williams as defensive coordinator, and has turned over the coaching staff in several other key positions too. One area that remains unfilled is wide receiver coach.
Former Patriot great Wes Welker has been a name that has been speculated after being fired by the Miami Dolphins. Now, it is known he truly could be a name to watch for.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the Patriots have considered Welker as an option:
“Wes Welker, who coached receivers in San Francisco (2019-21) and Miami (2022-24), is among the options the Patriots have considered as WR coach, according to league sources.”
The 43-year-old made his career in New England after being traded to them in a deal with the Dolphins for a 2007 second-round pick. Welker became one of the NFL's best during his five-year tenure with the Patriots. Racking up 672 catches, 7,459 yards, and 37 touchdowns. That production earned him 5 Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro selections. Perhaps more importantly than his playing days is where he has coached since he retired.
Welker has experience coaching in Houston, San Francisco, and Miami. With the Texans, he was an offensive assistant at the same time Vrabel was the defensive coordinator in 2017.
During his time with the 49ers and Dolphins, prior to coaching in the Super Bowl in 2020, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had high praise for Welker:
“Obviously, he’s an extremely talented guy, but he worked at it and understands football so well,” Shanahan said. “That’s what made him great. When I heard he got into coaching, I was intrigued. “After we interviewed him, we didn’t have to interview anyone else.”
The Patriots ran more of a West Coast offense last season, which is not what McDaniels runs. There is concern on how the Patriots players will adapt from last season.
The worry is that McDaniels is going to come in and start with a brand new playbook and play-calling language that will take quarterback Drake Maye and the rest of the offense a lot of time to learn. When in reality, McDaniels has adjusted his offense in New England from Tom Brady, Cam Newton, and then Mac Jones. All three are quarterbacks with various skill sets.
Having knowledge of the West Coast offense, which is used in San Francisco and Miami, would allow Welker to bridge that gap with the wide receivers who could be learning new play-calling language under McDaniels. Welker played under McDaniels, so he has knowledge of what he wants the offense to ideally look like, but also understands the wide receivers and their language they are used to.
Lastly, Welker also has already coached Patriot wide receiver Kendrick Bourne when they both were with the 49ers. Bourne and Welker were together in 2019 and 2020.
It remains to be seen what New England will do to fill their last major offensive coaching vacancy. Welker would be the third coach hired this offseason that would represent a familiar face on the sidelines.
