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 Welker with theDenver Broncos in 2013 | |||||||||||||
| Washington Commanders | |||||||||||||
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| Title | Personnel analyst | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1981-05-01)May 1, 1981 (age 44) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Heritage Hall(Oklahoma City) | ||||||||||||
| College | Texas Tech (2000–2003) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2004: undrafted | ||||||||||||
| Position | Wide receiver, No. 83, 19 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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Wesley Carter Welker (born May 1, 1981) is an American professionalfootball coach and formerwide receiver who is a personnel analyst for theWashington Commanders of theNational Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for 12 seasons, most notably with theNew England Patriots, and holds the NFL record for most receptions by anundrafted free agent.[1][2][3] Welker playedcollege football for theTexas Tech Red Raiders, winning theMosi Tatupu Award and receiving first-teamAll-Big 12 honors as a senior.
Joining the NFL in 2004, Welker played his first three seasons with the Dolphins and set the franchise record for kickoff return yardage. Welker was traded to the Patriots in 2007, where he earnedPro Bowl selections in five of his six seasons, led the league in receptions three times, set the franchise record for receptions, and became one of 13 players to score a 99-yard touchdown. He played his next two seasons with theDenver Broncos and was a member of the 2013 team that set the NFL record for points scored in a season. In his final season, Welker was a member of theSt. Louis Rams. Following his retirement, Welker served as an offensive assistant from 2017 to 2024 before becoming the Commanders' personnel analyst in 2025. For his accomplishments in New England, he was named to the Patriots'All-2000s,All-2010s, andAll-Dynasty Teams.
Welker started his football career atHeritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City.[4] In his junior year, he helped lead the Chargers to the 2A State Football championship over Tishomingo High School. In that game, Welker had three touchdowns, over 200 all-purpose yards, a 47-yard field goal, and an interception. In his high school career, he rushed for 3,235 yards and 53 rushing touchdowns to go along with recording 174 receptions for 2,551 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 22 interceptions, three pick-sixes, 581 tackles, and nine fumble recoveries. He handled some kicking duties and recorded 165 extra points made and 35 field goals converted. As a punt returner, he scored seven touchdowns.[5][6] Also, in 1999, he was namedThe Daily Oklahoman All-State Player of the Year, OklahomaGatorade Player of the year,[7] as well as Oklahoma State Player of the Year byUSA Today.
Welker played in the 2000Oil Bowl, scoring a 40-yard field goal for the Oklahoma team in the 11–9 loss.[8][9] Out of high school, Welker was not heavily recruited, as he was considered to be too small to play at the college level. However, after a recruit at Texas Tech backed out of his scholarship, it was offered to Welker.[10] Said Welker of the experience:
"I was thinking I'd get a scholarship somewhere. When it didn't happen when it was supposed to, on signing day, I was pretty hurt by it. … In the end, I don't think I could've picked a better school than Texas Tech."[11]
Besides football Welker also ran track his freshman and sophomore years before moving on to soccer in his junior year. He would score 15 goals in four games during the 1999 season before suffering a season-ending injury. Welker rejoined the team late in his senior year and helped lead the team to a 10-4-1 record. A two-time MVP, he also helped Heritage Hall qualify for the state tournament for the first time. Although his he only played 9 games in two seasons, he had nine assists. Which ranks him 5th in career goals and career points, and he honored by selection to the 1999 and 2000 All-District teams as well as the 2000 All-State team. He was inducted into the heritage Hall athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.[12]
While attendingTexas Tech University, Welker played for the school'sRed Raiders football team.[13] His last-minute signing proved to be very beneficial for the Red Raider football team. Based on a highlight reel from high school, Welker earned the nickname "The Natural", given to him by his recruiter, and then running backs coach at Texas Tech,Art Briles, before his freshman year for his versatility and big-game performances.[14][15]
Welker made his collegiate debut in the 2000 season opener againstUtah State. He recorded an eight-yard punt return in the 38–16 victory.[16] Two weeks later, in a 26–0 victory overLouisiana–Lafayette, he recorded a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown. He had four total punt returns on the day for 102 net yards for a 25.5 average[17] On October 7, againstBaylor, he recorded his first collegiate reception on a 37-yard catch in the 28–0 victory.[18] On October 28, in a 45–39 victory overKansas, he had five receptions for 72 yards to go along with a 42-yard rushing touchdown. In addition, he recorded a punt return that went 66 yards for a touchdown.[19] As a freshman, he had 26 receptions for 334 yards. In addition, he recorded 17 kickoff returns for 308 net yards for a 18.0 average and 28 punt returns for 353 net yards for a 12.6 average and two punt return touchdowns.[20]
In the Red Raiders' 2001 season opener, a 42–30 victory overNew Mexico, Welker had four receptions for 40 receiving yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown on a pass by quarterbackKliff Kingsbury.[21] On October 13, in a 38–19 victory overKansas State, he had six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns.[22] In the following game, a 41–31 loss atNebraska, he had four receptions for 47 yards to go along with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.[23] On November 3, he recorded a season-high 11 receptions for 64 yards in the 12–0 victory overTexas A&M.[24] As a sophomore, he had 50 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns.[25]
Welker started the 2002 season off with a strong individual performance of five receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the 45–21 loss toOhio State.[26] In the next game, he turned in another great effort with nine receptions for 153 yards in the 24–14 victory overSMU.[27] The following week againstOle Miss, he had four receptions for 40 yards to go along with a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 42–28 victory.[28] On October 5, againstTexas A&M, he had 10 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown to go along with an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 48–47 shootout victory.[29] On November 16, againstTexas, he had 14 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–38 victory.[30] In the2002 Tangerine Bowl, he had three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown to go along with a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 55–15 victory overClemson.[31][32] As a junior, he had 86 receptions for 1,054 yards and seven receiving touchdowns to go along with 57 punt returns for 752 net yards and three punt returns for touchdowns.[33] In the Big 12 conference, his total receptions finished third, receiving yards finished sixth, and receiving touchdowns finished seventh. He led the conference and finished second in the NCAA with his total punt return yardage.[34][35]
In the first three games of the 2003 season, Welker totaled 16 receptions for 183 yards and recorded a punt return touchdown in a 58–10 victory overSMU in that stretch.[36] In his fourth game, againstOle Miss, he had 10 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in the 49–45 victory.[37] On October 4, againstTexas A&M, he had six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the 59–28 victory.[38] On October 18, againstOklahoma State, he had 10 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 51–49 loss. .[39] On November 1, againstColorado, he had five receptions for 91 yards and a receiving touchdown to go along with a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 26–21 victory.[40] In his final collegiate game, in the2003 Houston Bowl againstNavy, he had seven receptions for 107 yards in the 38–14 victory.[41] As a senior, he had 97 receptions for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with a four-yard rushing touchdown.[42]
Over his four-year career, he had 259 receptions for 3,019 yards and 21touchdowns, 341 kickoff return yards, and 79 rushes for 456 yards and two touchdowns. He set the NCAA record for punt return yards with 1,761, and returned eight punts for touchdowns in his career, which currently places him a second place tie withAntonio Perkins for theNCAA record,[10] and behindDante Pettis, who finished with nine.[43][44]
In 2003, Welker won theMosi Tatupu Award, given annually to the best special teams player in college football.[45] Welker was also named to theSports Illustrated All-Decade Team as a punt returner.[46]
After his senior season at Texas Tech, Welker was not invited to theNFL Scouting Combine.[47]
| Season | Team | Class | Pos | GP | Receiving | Rushing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||||
| 2000 | Texas Tech | FR | RB | 12 | 26 | 334 | 12.8 | 0 | 6 | 72 | 12.0 | 1 |
| 2001 | Texas Tech | SO | WR | 11 | 50 | 582 | 11.6 | 5 | 15 | 97 | 6.5 | 0 |
| 2002 | Texas Tech | JR | WR | 14 | 86 | 1,054 | 12.3 | 7 | 31 | 244 | 7.9 | 0 |
| 2003 | Texas Tech | SR | WR | 13 | 97 | 1,099 | 11.3 | 9 | 27 | 146 | 5.4 | 1 |
| Career | 50 | 259 | 3,069 | 11.8 | 21 | 79 | 559 | 7.1 | 2 | |||
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft8+3⁄4 in (1.75 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 31+3⁄8 in (0.80 m) | 9 in (0.23 m) | 4.65 s | 1.60 s | 2.67 s | 4.01 s | 7.09 s | 30 in (0.76 m) | 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) | ||
| All values fromPro Day[48][49] | ||||||||||||
Welker, who went undrafted during the2004 NFL draft, signed as anundrafted free agent with theSan Diego Chargers.[50] Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, appearing in four preseason games and the regular season opener against theHouston Texans. After returning four kickoffs for 102 yards in his debut,[51] Welker was released when the Chargers claimed safetyClinton Hart off waivers.[52] Head coachMarty Schottenheimer later acknowledged that in terms of roster cuts, releasing Welker was the "biggest mistake [he] ever made".[53]
After the Chargers released Welker, he passed through waivers. Although the Chargers offered him a slot on theirpractice squad, Welker chose to sign with theMiami Dolphins, where he was mostly used onspecial teams.[54] Playing against theNew England Patriots on October 10, 2004, Welker became the second player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt, kick an extra point and afield goal, and make atackle in a single game.[55][56] For this performance, Welker earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[57] On December 20, Welker had a 71-yard punt return to set up Miami's first touchdown in a 29–28 victory over the Patriots.[58] In the regular season finale against theBaltimore Ravens, he had a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the 30–23 loss.[59] Overall, he finished the 2004 season with 61 kickoff returns for 1,415 net yards (23.20 average) and a kickoff return touchdown to go along with 43 punt returns for 464 net yards (10.79 average).[60]
During training camp at the beginning of the2005 season, Welker was promoted to the thirdwide receiver spot afterChris Chambers andMarty Booker.[61] He finished the 2005 season with 29 receptions for 434 yards. In addition, he had 43 punt returns for 390 yards, a 9.1-yard average (11th in the NFL), and 61 kickoff returns for 1,379 yards, a 22.6-yard average (20th in the NFL).[62][63]
After rumors that he would be cut during the preseason, Welker started off being a bright spot in the struggling Dolphins' offense. Through five games, he netted a team-high 29 catches and team-high 299 yards.[64] On October 8, 2006, he was a reliable target for back-up quarterbackJoey Harrington, recording a then career-high nine catches for 77 yards in a 20–10 loss to theNew England Patriots.[65] For the season, he had a team-best 67 receptions for 687 yards and one touchdown. He returned 48 kickoffs for 1,048 yards (22.2 average) and 41 punts for 378 yards (9.2 average).[66][67]
On March 1, 2007, the Dolphins offered Welker, a restricted free agent, a second-round tender of $1.35 million for a one-year contract. News reports indicated the New England Patriots, who were interested in Welker, had originally considered signing him to an offer sheet. Miami would have had seven days to match the offer. According toThe Boston Globe, that sheet would have contained a poison pill provision that would have made the offer difficult for the Dolphins to match.[68] Ultimately, however, the Patriots decided not to use such an offer and traded their 2007 second-round draft pick and a seventh-round draft pick to the Dolphins for Welker.[69]
Welker's first season as a Patriot eclipsed his 2006 season as a Dolphin; he bettered his totals for receptions, touchdowns, and yardage in his first ten games. In Week 1, a 38–14 victory over theNew York Jets, he caught the first of the Patriots' 75 touchdowns, equaling the one receiving touchdown he had scored in his three seasons with the Dolphins.[70] He set career highs for single-game yardage three times in 2007: in the Patriots' Week 6 48–27 win over theDallas Cowboys, Welker had 11 catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns (all career bests);[71] the next week, a 49–28 victory over theMiami Dolphins, he had nine catches for 138 yards and two more touchdowns (the most receiving yards of any NFL player that week);[72] and in Week 12, a 31–28 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles, he had 13 receptions for 149 yards.[73] In Week 15, a 20–10 victory over the New York Jets, Welker reached 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career;[74] in Week 16, against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded his 101st reception of the season, tying the Patriots franchise record set byTroy Brown in2001.[75][76] In Week 17, in agame against theNew York Giants, he caught 11 more passes, setting the Patriots franchise record for catches with 112, and tyingBengals receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh for most receptions in the2007 NFL season.[77][78] He also set an NFL record for most catches in a first season with a new team. Welker, who finished the season with 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns, received one vote forNFL Offensive Player of the Year, an award won by his quarterback,Tom Brady, and was voted to his first AP All-Pro Team (second team).[79][80]
In his first two postseason games, theDivisional Round against theJacksonville Jaguars and theAFC Championship against theSan Diego Chargers, Welker had 16 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.[81][82] He tied the then-Super Bowl record of 11 receptions in a single game in the Patriots' 17–14 loss to the New York Giants inSuper Bowl XLII.[83][84]
Despite the season-ending ACL injury to quarterback Tom Brady in Week 1 against theKansas City Chiefs, Welker continued to amass receptions at the same pace through the first half of the season withMatt Cassel at quarterback: through eight games, he had 56 receptions, but only one touchdown reception.[85][86] He had six or more receptions in each of the Patriots' first 11 games, breakingJimmy Smith's mark of eight games at the start of theJacksonville Jaguars'2001 season.[87]
Welker had what was, at the time, the longest pass play of his NFL career in the Patriots' 48–28 victory over theMiami Dolphins in Week 12: on 2nd-and-8 from their own 15, Welker caught a five-yard pass from Matt Cassel, then eluded a pair of defenders, tip-toeing and running down the left sideline to the Miami 21, for a total of 64 yards, 59 yards after the catch.[88]Welker broke the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season in Week 14 against theSeattle Seahawks, catching 12 passes for 134 yards, and catching a pass on the Patriots' two-point conversion.[89] He finished the season with a league-leading 96 receptions, for 1,002 yards (ninth in the NFL, third in the AFC).[90][91] Against theOakland Raiders one week later, Welker became the first player in Patriots history, and the eighth in NFL history, to have back-to-back 100-reception seasons; the previous player to do it was his teammateRandy Moss, while he was aViking, in2002 and2003, andBrandon Marshall accomplished the feat in the same seasons as Welker.[92]
Welker was fined $10,000 by the NFL for celebrating a December 21 touchdown against theArizona Cardinals in Week 16 by lying down in the snow by theendzone and using his body to make asnow angel, violating a recentNFL rule change making going to ground after a touchdown unsportsmanlike conduct.[93]
Welker was selected to attend the2009 Pro Bowl as a reserve,[94] and was again named to the AP All-Pro Second Team.[95]
Welker started off the 2009 season with 12 receptions for 93 receiving yards in a 25–24 victory over theBuffalo Bills.[96] He was sidelined in Weeks 2 and 3, against theNew York Jets andAtlanta Falcons, respectively, with a knee injury; rookie wide receiverJulian Edelman took his place in the lineup.[97][98] In the Week 6 game against theTennessee Titans on October 18, Welker caught 10 passes for 150 yards, a new career high (at the time), and two touchdowns.[99] The second of Welker's touchdowns was Tom Brady's NFL record fifth touchdown in a single quarter.[100] Welker set career marks again in the Patriots' Week 11 rematch against the Jets: targeted 17 times, he caught 15 passes — at the time the highest single-game total for any player in the NFL in 2009 — for 192 yards, and added 11 rushing yards on a reverse.[101] In Week 13 against theDolphins, Welker recorded 167 receiving yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season. In the 22–21 loss to the Dolphins, Welker tallied 167 yards on 10 catches, including a season long 58-yard reception over the middle.[102] In the Patriots' Week 14 win at home against theCarolina Panthers, Welker caught 10 passes (out of 19 total completions for Brady) for 105 yards.[103] This gave him 105 receptions in just 11 games and Welker led the NFL in receptions at that point.[104] The performance also made Welker the fourth receiver in NFL history (afterJerry Rice,Herman Moore, andMarvin Harrison, and tied with Brandon Marshall who did it in the same seasons as Welker) to catch 100 passes in three consecutive seasons.[105] In Week 16, Welker caught 13 passes, giving him seven games with double-digit receptions.[106] This gave him the record for most double digit reception games in a single season, passing Marvin Harrison. He accomplished this despite missing two games earlier in the season. In a Week 17 loss to theHouston Texans, Welker suffered a knee injury after getting hit byBernard Pollard in the first quarter while running upfield to make his only reception of the game.[107] He suffered a tornMCL andACL in his left knee and was unable to participate in the Patriots'Wild Card Round loss to theBaltimore Ravens.[108] He was placed oninjured reserve on January 6, 2010.[109]
Welker finished the season with a league-high 123 receptions, the second-highest total in NFL history,[110] and finished second in yardage, behind Houston'sAndre Johnson.[111][112] He was also selected to represent the AFC in thePro Bowl for the second consecutive year, and, for the first time in his career, was named to theAll-Pro First Team. Because of the knee injury he could not play in the Pro Bowl, and was replaced on the Pro Bowl roster by teammate Randy Moss.[113]
Welker rehabilitated his knee during the 2010 offseason with the goal of being ready for the 2010 season opener,[114] while many analysts expected that he would start the season on thePhysically Unable to Perform list,[114] and some even speculated that he would miss the entire 2010 season.[115]
Nonetheless, Welker played in the Patriots' Week 1 38–24 victory against theCincinnati Bengals, and led all Patriots receivers with eight catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns; those catches included Brady's first pass attempt of the season and his first touchdown pass.[116] In the Patriots' Week 9 34–14 loss to theCleveland Browns, after an injury to kickerStephen Gostkowski, Welker was asked to kick anextra point for the first time since he did so in 2004 against the Patriots; he converted the attempt.[117][118] Welker had two touchdown catches in the Patriots' 45–24 win over theDetroit Lions onThanksgiving.[119] He recorded a season-high in receiving yards with 115 on eight receptions in a Week 14 36–7 victory over theChicago Bears.[120] He finished the 2010 season with 86 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with 11 starts.[121] He was named to the2011 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement to Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.[122]
In the playoff loss to theNew York Jets in theDivisional Round, Welker was benched for the teams' first offensive series for making a series of foot references in a press conference that took shots at afoot fetish of Jets' coachRex Ryan. He had seven receptions for 57 yards in the 28–21 loss.[123] He was voted the PatriotsEd Block Courage Award winner by his teammates,[124] and was ranked 50th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011 players' list.[125]
In the Patriots' 38–24 Week 1 win over theMiami Dolphins, Welker caught a99-yard pass from Tom Brady.[126] Tying the NFL record for longest play from scrimmage, it was, at the time, the 12th such play in NFL history, and the first for the Patriots. The play accounted for the majority of Welker's yards in an eight-catch effort for 160 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[127]
In Week 3, in the Patriots' 34–31 loss to theBuffalo Bills, Welker recorded career-highs with 16 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns.[128] In so doing, he tied wide receiver Troy Brown's franchise record of 16 receptions in a single game and brokeTerry Glenn's franchise record of 214 yards, set in 1999. The game also marked Welker's 64th consecutive regular-season game with a reception (i.e., in every game he had played thus far as a Patriot), breaking tight endBen Coates's record of 63 games (set 1992 to 1996).[129] It was Welker's second game with at least 15 receptions, a feat previously done only by Brandon Marshall with theDenver Broncos.[130]
In Week 5, in the Patriots' win over theNew York Jets, Welker caught five passes for 124 yards, including a 73-yard catch-and-run in which Welker beatEric Smith and was chased down byDarrelle Revis at the eight-yard line.[131]
In Week 14, against theWashington Redskins, Welker recorded his 100th reception of the season, giving him four seasons with at least 100 receptions, tying the NFL record shared by Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice. He also set a personal best with his ninth receiving touchdown.[132] In the Patriots' Week 16 rematch against the Dolphins, Welker had 12 receptions for 138 yards, bringing him to a franchise-record 1,518 receiving yards, besting Randy Moss' 2007 record of 1,493 yards.[133][134]
Through 15 games, Welker led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, yards per game, and receptions for first downs, and ranked in the top five in receiving touchdowns and receptions of 20 yards or more. He finished the season with 122 receptions (tied for fourth-highest total in NFL history), 1,569 receiving yards and 98.5 yards per game (both second toCalvin Johnson of theDetroit Lions), and 77 receptions for first down (tied with Johnson for the NFL lead). He also had a career-high nine touchdown receptions.[135] He was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time and earned First Team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career.[136][137]
In theDivisional Round against theDenver Broncos, he had six receptions for 55 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 45–10 victory.[138] In theAFC Championship against theBaltimore Ravens, he had six receptions for 53 receiving yards.[139] The Patriots reachedSuper Bowl XLVI where they faced off against theNew York Giants in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. In the Super Bowl, Welker had seven catches for 60 yards, but the Patriots lost to the Giants again, this time by a score of 21–17. Late in the fourth quarter with a little over four minutes remaining, with the Patriots ahead 17–15 and on the Giants' 44-yard line, Welker dropped a pass with both hands on the ball. Welker was near the Giants' 20-yard line. The Patriots were forced to punt and set up the Giants' eventual game-winning drive.[140][141] He was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[142]
In the Patriots' Week 1 win over theTennessee Titans, with three receptions for 14 yards in the 34–13 victory, Welker tied former Patriots receiver Troy Brown's franchise record for receptions; he took sole possession of the franchise record for receptions a week later against theArizona Cardinals with five receptions for 95 yards.[143][144] In Week 3, against theBaltimore Ravens, he had eight receptions for 142 yards in a narrow 31–30 loss.[145] On October 14, in a 24–23 loss to theSeattle Seahawks, he had 10 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown.[146] During the Week 13 game against theMiami Dolphins, Welker, with, 12 receptions, set the NFL record for the most games with 10 or more receptions, tying him with49ers legend and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.[147] It was his 17th game accomplishing the feat. He also set the NFL record for most games with 10 or more catches and 100 or more yards. With his 16th such performance, he moved ahead of Jerry Rice and Andre Johnson. Overall, he finished the 2012 season with 118 receptions for 1,354 receiving yards and six touchdowns.[148] He ended the season tied withChicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall for second in receptions with 118, behindDetroit's Calvin Johnson.[149][150] Welker earned his fifth Pro Bowl nomination.[151]
In theDivisional Round against theHouston Texans, Welker had eight receptions for 131 receiving yards in the 41–28 victory.[152] In theAFC Championship loss to the eventualSuper Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens, he had eight receptions for 117 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in what would be his final game as a Patriot in the 28–13 season-ending loss.[153] He finished ranked 44th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013.[154]
After joining the Patriots, Welker caught more passes than any player in the league during the 2007–2012 stretch, and ranked in the top five in yardage. Welker reached 500 receptions with the Patriots in just 70 games, an NFL record.[155] Welker holds the franchise record for consecutive games with receptions, having caught a pass in every game, including the postseason, he played as a Patriot. By the end of the 2021 season, Welker held the all-time Patriots franchise record for receptions and in just 79 games he brokeTroy Brown's record, who played more than twice as many games as a Patriot (192 regular-season games). Welker ranks third in receiving yards behindStanley Morgan andRob Gronkowski.[156] With New England, Welker played in two Super Bowls (XLII andXLVI), falling short to theNew York Giants each time. His most notable season was in 2011 with the Patriots, where he played in 16 games. In those games he recorded an impressive stat line with 122 receptions on 172 targets and 1,569 receiving yards. His yards per reception average was 12.9 and he recorded 9 touchdown receptions. His top play from the 2011 season was the99 yard receiving TD fromTom Brady in Week 1 vs. the Miami Dolphins.[157]
On March 13, 2013, Welker signed a two-year, $12 million contract with theDenver Broncos.[158] Welker's signing with Denver was a result of Welker and the New England Patriots being unable to agree to a contract.[159]
In his debut with the Broncos, Welker had nine receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the 49–27 victory over theBaltimore Ravens onNBC Sunday Night Football. His two receiving touchdowns were part of a single-game record seven thrown by quarterback Peyton Manning.[160] In Week 4, in a 52–20 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles, he had seven receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.[161] By Week 11, Welker had more touchdowns than he had the entire previous season withNew England (six), and as many as he had in any season with the Patriots (nine). He caught a touchdown pass in eight of the first ten games of the 2013 season.[162]
In Week 14 against theTennessee Titans, Welker took a hit to the head on a play across the middle late in the second quarter, and his neck bent awkwardly on the play.[163] Welker previously suffered a concussion in Week 11 against theKansas City Chiefs.[164] He did not play for the rest of the regular season. Welker was part of the Broncos' historic offense which saw five players record at least ten touchdowns on the season.[165]
On December 30, the day after Denver's 34–14 victory over theOakland Raiders, head coachJohn Fox announced that Welker was cleared to play in the Broncos's Divisional Round playoff game against theSan Diego Chargers on January 12, 2014.[166] He had six receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown in the 24–17 victory in theDivisional Round.[167] On January 19, Welker earned his thirdAFC Championship win and Super Bowl appearance after he helped the Broncos defeat his former team, theNew England Patriots, 26–16. Welker had four receptions for 38 yards in the victory.[168] The Broncos lost to theSeattle Seahawks, 43–8 inSuper Bowl XLVIII. He had eight catches for 84 yards in the loss, the third such loss in the Super Bowl for Welker.[169][170] He was ranked 73rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014.[171]
During the third preseason game on August 23, Welker was diagnosed with a concussion after a hit byHouston Texans safetyD. J. Swearinger. The concussion was Welker's third in ten months.[172] On September 2, the NFL suspended Welker for the first four games of the2014 NFL season for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy after he failed a drug test due toamphetamines.[173] On September 12, Welker's suspension was lifted due to the NFL's new drug policy. Welker made his season debut in Week 3, a 26–20 overtime loss to theSeattle Seahawks in a rematch of the previous year's Super Bowl.[174][175] In a Week 5 game against theArizona Cardinals on October 5, Welker passedRod Smith for the most receptions by an undrafted player in NFL history.[3] In a Week 7 game against theSan Francisco 49ers, Welker caught his first touchdown of the season and it wasPeyton Manning's 508th career touchdown pass, which tiedBrett Favre for the most in NFL history.[176] Overall, he finished the 2014 season with 49 receptions for 464 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[177] In theDivisional Round against theIndianapolis Colts, he had a 20-yard reception in the 24–13 loss.[178] Welker did not re-sign with the Broncos and became a free agent.[179]
On November 9, 2015, theSt. Louis Rams signed Welker to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.[180] He appeared in eight games, but started none, and had 13 receptions for 102 yards for the Rams in the 2015 season.[181] The 2015 season was Welker's last in the NFL as a player. He acknowledged he had retired in 2017.[182]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| NFL record | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Punt return | Kickoff return | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2004 | SD | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 102 | 25.5 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MIA | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | 464 | 10.8 | 71 | 0 | 57 | 1,313 | 23.0 | 95 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2005 | MIA | 16 | 1 | 29 | 434 | 15.0 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 43 | 390 | 9.1 | 47 | 0 | 61 | 1,379 | 22.6 | 46 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 2006 | MIA | 16 | 2 | 67 | 687 | 10.3 | 38 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 378 | 9.2 | 47 | 0 | 48 | 1,064 | 22.2 | 46 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2007 | NE | 16 | 13 | 112 | 1,175 | 10.5 | 42 | 8 | 4 | 34 | 8.5 | 27 | 0 | 25 | 249 | 10.0 | 35 | 0 | 7 | 176 | 25.1 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | NE | 16 | 14 | 111 | 1,165 | 10.5 | 64 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 19 | 0 | 24 | 237 | 9.9 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | NE | 14 | 13 | 123 | 1,348 | 11.0 | 58 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 7.2 | 11 | 0 | 27 | 338 | 12.5 | 69 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 22.5 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | NE | 15 | 11 | 86 | 848 | 9.9 | 35 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 36 | 7.2 | 22 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | NE | 16 | 15 | 122 | 1,569 | 12.9 | 99T | 9 | 4 | 30 | 7.5 | 19 | 0 | 8 | 82 | 10.3 | 25 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | NE | 16 | 12 | 118 | 1,354 | 11.5 | 59 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 11 | 0 | 25 | 243 | 9.7 | 31 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 11.0 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2013 | DEN | 13 | 13 | 73 | 778 | 10.7 | 33 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 70 | 7.0 | 27 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | DEN | 14 | 8 | 49 | 464 | 9.5 | 39 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 74 | 6.7 | 19 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | STL | 8 | 0 | 13 | 102 | 7.8 | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 175 | 102 | 903 | 9,924 | 11.0 | 99T | 50 | 19 | 151 | 7.9 | 27 | 0 | 264 | 2,584 | 9.8 | 71 | 0 | 183 | 4,138 | 22.6 | 95 | 1 | 24 | 6 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Punt return | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2007 | NE | 3 | 3 | 27 | 213 | 7.9 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | NE | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | ||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | NE | 1 | 0 | 7 | 57 | 8.1 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NE | 3 | 3 | 19 | 168 | 8.8 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | NE | 2 | 2 | 16 | 248 | 15.5 | 47 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 56 | 11.2 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | DEN | 3 | 3 | 18 | 160 | 8.9 | 22 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | DEN | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | –1 | –1.0 | –1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 13 | 11 | 88 | 866 | 9.8 | 47 | 5 | 3 | 34 | 11.3 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 84 | 9.3 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Year | Date | Team | Opp. | Result | Receiving | Rushing | Punt Return | 2PA | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||||
| 2007 | February 3, 2008 | NE | NYG | L 14–17 | 11 | 103 | 9.4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | February 5, 2012 | NE | NYG | L 17–21 | 7 | 60 | 8.6 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | February 2, 2014 | DEN | SEA | L 8–43 | 8 | 84 | 10.5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Total | 26 | 247 | 9.5 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||
On January 30, 2017, Welker began his coaching career and was hired by theHouston Texans as an offensive assistant and special teams assistant coach under head coachBill O'Brien.[201] That same year,NFL Films airedWes Welker: A Football Life, which credits Welker as a game-changing slot receiver.[12]
On February 27, 2019, Welker was hired by theSan Francisco 49ers to be their wide receivers coach under head coachKyle Shanahan.[202]
On February 18, 2022, Welker chose to follow head coachMike McDaniel, the former offensive coordinator for the 49ers, to be the wide receivers coach on McDaniel's inaugural coaching staff with the Dolphins.[203] Welker was fired on January 10, 2025.[204]
Welker joined theWashington Commanders as a personnel analyst on April 8, 2025, working with both the personnel department and coaching staff.[205]
Welker was born inOklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is aChristian.[206] He is a citizen of theCherokee Nation, and has a grandmother who lives within Cherokee Nation jurisdiction inSequoyah County, Oklahoma.[207]
While attendingTexas Tech University, Welker was a Texas Epsilon chapter member of thePhi Delta Theta fraternity.[208] Welker graduated from Texas Tech University in 2003 with aBachelor of Business Administration degree inManagement from theRawls College of Business.[209]
In 2007, Welker established the 83 Foundation (after his NFL uniform number). The foundation, renamed the Wes Welker Foundation in December 2009, states that its goal is "to influence at-risk youth, by encouraging their full potential through athletics and positive role models". Its work primarily benefits schools and other organizations in Welker's hometown of Oklahoma City. Since its inception he has raised over $2,500,000 in grants to over 40 Oklahoma City schools and organizations.[210][12]
In 2012, Welker married former swimsuit model and 2005 MissHooters Pageant Winner[211] Anna Burns.[212] They have three children.[213] Welker owns a chestnut-colored gelding racehorse called Undrafted, trained byWesley Ward. In 2014, Undrafted notched his first win in the Grade 3 Jaipur Invitational Stakes at Belmont.[214] Undrafted also won the Group 1 2015Diamond Jubilee Stakes atAscot Racecourse.[215]
