Wes Welker

Wesley Carter Welker(born May 1, 1981) is an American professionalfootballcoach and formerwide receiverwho is the wide receivers coach for theMiami Dolphinsof theNational Football League(NFL). Welker played in the NFL for 12 seasons, most notably with theNew England Patriots.Regarded as one of the greatestundraftedplayers of all time, he holds the NFL record for receptions by an undrafted player.Welker playedcollege footballfor theTexas Tech Red Raiders,where he won theMosi TatupuAward and was a first-team All-Big 12as a senior.

Wes Welker

Welker with the Patriots in 2010
Miami Dolphins
Position:	Wide receiverscoach
Personal information
Born:	(1981-05-01)May 1, 1981 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, Oklahoma)
College:	Texas Tech(2000–2003)
Undrafted:	2004
Career history
As a player:
San Diego Chargers(2004) Miami Dolphins(2004–2006) New England Patriots(2007–2012) Denver Broncos(2013–2014) St. Louis Rams(2015)
As a coach:
Houston Texans(2017–2018) Offensive assistant & special teams assistant San Francisco 49ers(2019–2021) Wide receivers coach Miami Dolphins(2022–present) Wide receivers coach
Career highlights and awards
2× First-teamAll-Pro(2009,2011) 2× Second-team All-Pro (2007,2008) 5×Pro Bowl(2008–2012) 3×NFL receptions leader(2007, 2009, 2011) PFWA All-Rookie Team(2004) New England Patriots All-2000s Team New England Patriots All-2010s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team Mosi Tatupu Award (2003) First-team All-Big 12(2003) Second-team All-Big 12(2002) NFL record Longest receiving touchdown: 99 yards(tied)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 903 Receiving yards: 9,924 Receiving touchdowns: 50 Return yards: 6,722 Return touchdowns: 1 StatsatPro Football Reference

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 then traded to the Patriots, where he earnedPro Bowlselections in five of his six seasons with them, led the league in receptions three times, set the franchise record for receptions, and became one of 12 players to score a 99-yard touchdown. He played his next two seasons with theDenver Broncosand 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.Welker began a coaching career in 2017 and rejoined the Dolphins as their wide receivers coach in 2021. For his accomplishments in New England, he was named to the Patriots'All-2000s,All-2010s,andAll-Dynasty Teams.

Early life

Welker started his football career atHeritage Hall High Schoolin Oklahoma City.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.Also, in 1999, he was namedThe Daily OklahomanAll-State Player of the Year, 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.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.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."

College career

While attendingTexas Tech University,Welker played for the school'sRed Raidersfootball team.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.

2000 season

Welker made his collegiate debut in the 2000 season opener againstUtah State.He recorded an eight-yard punt return in the 38–16 victory.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 averageOn October 7, againstBaylor,he recorded his first collegiate reception on a 37-yard catch in the 28–0 victory.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.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.

2001 season

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.On October 13, in a 38–19 victory overKansas State,he had six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns.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.On November 3, he recorded a season-high 11 receptions for 64 yards in the 12–0 victory overTexas A&M.As a sophomore, he had 50 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns.

2002 season

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.In the next game, he turned in another great effort with nine receptions for 153 yards in the 24–14 victory overSMU.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.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.On November 16, againstTexas,he had 14 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the 42–38 victory.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.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.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.

2003 season

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 overSMUin that stretch.In his fourth game, againstOle Miss,he had 10 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in the 49–45 victory.On October 4, againstTexas A&M,he had six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the 59–28 victory.On October 18, againstOklahoma State,he had 10 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 51–49 loss..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.In his final collegiate game, in the2003 Houston BowlagainstNavy,he had seven receptions for 107 yards in the 38–14 victory.As a senior, he had 97 receptions for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with a four-yard rushing touchdown.

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 Perkinsfor theNCAArecord,and behindDante Pettis,who finished with nine.

In 2003, Welker won theMosi TatupuAward, given annually to the best special teams player in college football.Welker was also named to theSports IllustratedAll-Decade Team as a punt returner.

After his senior season at Texas Tech, Welker was not invited to theNFL Scouting Combine.

College statistics

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

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

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+3⁄4in (1.75 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	31+3⁄8in (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

San Diego Chargers

Welker, who went undrafted during the2004 NFL draft,signed as anundrafted free agentwith theSan Diego Chargers.Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season when the Chargers claimed safetyClinton Hartoff waivers.Head coachMarty Schottenheimerlater acknowledged that in terms of roster cuts, releasing Welker was the "biggest mistake [he] ever made".

Miami Dolphins

2004 season

See also:2004 Miami Dolphins season

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.Playing against theNew England Patriotson 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 atacklein a single game.For this performance, Welker earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.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.In the regular season finale against theBaltimore Ravens,he had a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown in the 30–23 loss.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).

2005 season

See also:2005 Miami Dolphins season

During training camp at the beginning of the2005 season,Welker was promoted to the thirdwide receiverspot afterChris ChambersandMarty Booker.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).

2006 season

See also:2006 Miami Dolphins season

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.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.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).

New England Patriots

Trade to New England

Welker (right) being interviewed after the final game of the undefeated2007 Patriotsregular season

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.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.

2007 season

See also:2007 New England Patriots season

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.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);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);and in Week 12, a 31–28 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles,he had 13 receptions for 149 yards.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;in Week 16, against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded his 101st reception of the season, tying the Patriots franchise record set byTroy Brownin2001.In Week 17, in agameagainst theNew York Giants,he caught 11 more passes, setting the Patriots franchise record for catches with 112, and tyingBengalsreceiverT. J. Houshmandzadehfor most receptions in the2007 NFL season.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).

In his first two postseason games, theDivisional Roundagainst theJacksonville Jaguarsand theAFC Championshipagainst theSan Diego Chargers,Welker had 16 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.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.

2008 season

See also:2008 New England Patriots season

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 Casselat quarterback: through eight games, he had 56 receptions, but only one touchdown reception.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.

Welker had what was, at the time, the longest pass play of his NFL career in the Patriots' 48–28 victory over theMiami Dolphinsin 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. 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.He finished the season with a league-leading 96 receptions, for 1,002 yards (ninth in the NFL, third in the AFC).Against theOakland Raidersone 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,in2002and2003,andBrandon Marshallaccomplished the feat in the same seasons as Welker.

Welker was fined $10,000 by the NFL for celebrating a December 21 touchdown against theArizona Cardinalsin Week 16 by lying down in the snow by theendzoneand using his body to make asnow angel,violating a recentNFLrule change making going to ground after a touchdown unsportsmanlike conduct.

Welker was selected to attend the2009 Pro Bowlas a reserve,and was again named to the AP All-Pro Second Team.

2009 season

See also:2009 New England Patriots season

Welker started off the 2009 season with 12 receptions for 93 receiving yards in a 25–24 victory over theBuffalo Bills.He was sidelined in Weeks 2 and 3, against theNew York JetsandAtlanta Falcons,respectively, with a knee injury; rookie wide receiverJulian Edelmantook his place in the lineup.In the Week 6 game against theTennessee Titanson October 18, Welker caught 10 passes for 150 yards, a new career high (at the time), and two touchdowns.The second of Welker's touchdowns was Tom Brady's NFL record fifth touchdown in a single quarter.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.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.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.This gave him 105 receptions in just 11 games and Welker led the NFL in receptions at that point.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.In Week 16, Welker caught 13 passes, giving him seven games with double-digit receptions.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 Pollardin the first quarter while running upfield to make his only reception of the game.He suffered a tornMCLandACLin his left knee and was unable to participate in the Patriots'Wild Card Roundloss to theBaltimore Ravens.He was placed oninjured reserveon January 6, 2010.

Welker finished the season with a league-high 123 receptions, the second-highest total in NFL history,and finished second in yardage, behind Houston'sAndre Johnson.He was also selected to represent the AFC in thePro Bowlfor the second consecutive year, and, for the first time in his career, was named to theAll-ProFirst 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.

2010 season

See also:2010 New England Patriots season

Welker rehabilitated his knee during the 2010 offseason with the goal of being ready for the 2010 season opener,while many analysts expected that he would start the season on thePhysically Unable to Performlist,and some even speculated that he would miss the entire 2010 season.

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.In the Patriots' Week 9 34–14 loss to theCleveland Browns,after an injury to kickerStephen Gostkowski,Welker was asked to kick anextra pointfor the first time since he did so in 2004 against the Patriots; he converted the attempt.Welker had two touchdown catches in the Patriots' 45–24 win over theDetroit LionsonThanksgiving.He recorded a season-high in receiving yards with 115 on eight receptions in a Week 14 36–7 victory over theChicago Bears.He finished the 2010 season with 86 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with 11 starts.He was named to the2011 Pro Bowlas an injury replacement to Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.

In the playoff loss to theNew York Jetsin 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 fetishof Jets' coachRex Ryan.He had seven receptions for 57 yards in the 28–21 loss.He was ranked 50th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011players' list.

2011 season

See also:2011 New England Patriots season

In the Patriots' 38–24 Week 1 win over theMiami Dolphins,Welker caught a99-yard passfrom Tom Brady.Tying the NFL record for longest play from scrimmage, it was 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.

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.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).It was Welker's second game with at least 15 receptions, a feat previously done only by Brandon Marshall with theDenver Broncos.

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 Smithand was chased down byDarrelle Revisat the eight-yard line.

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.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.

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 Johnsonof theDetroit Lions), and 77 receptions for first down (tied with Johnson for the NFL lead). He also had a career-high nine touchdown receptions.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.

In theDivisional Roundagainst theDenver Broncos,he had six receptions for 55 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 45–10 victory.In theAFC Championshipagainst theBaltimore Ravens,he had six receptions for 53 receiving yards.The Patriots reachedSuper Bowl XLVIwhere they faced off against theNew York Giantsin 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.He was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2012.

2012 season

See also:2012 New England Patriots season

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 Cardinalswith five receptions for 95 yards.In Week 3, against theBaltimore Ravens,he had eight receptions for 142 yards in a narrow 31–30 loss.On October 14, in a 24–23 loss to theSeattle Seahawks,he had 10 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown.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 with49erslegend and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.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.He ended the season tied withChicago Bearsreceiver Brandon Marshall for second in receptions with 118, behindDetroit's Calvin Johnson.Welker earned his fifth Pro Bowl nomination.

In theDivisional Roundagainst theHouston Texans,Welker had eight receptions for 131 receiving yards in the 41–28 victory.In theAFC Championshiploss to the Baltimore Ravens, he had eight receptions for 117 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 28–13 loss.He finished ranked 44th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

Patriots career summary

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.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. As of the end of the 2021 season, Welker holds the all-time Patriots franchise record for receptions, breaking in just 79 games the record ofTroy Brown,who played more than twice as many games as a Patriot (192 regular-season games). Welker ranks third in receiving yards behindStanley MorganandRob Gronkowski.

Denver Broncos

Welker with the Broncos in 2013

On March 13, 2013, Welker signed a two-year, $12 million contract with theDenver Broncos.Welker's signing with Denver was a result of Welker and the New England Patriots being unable to agree to a contract.

2013 season

See also:2013 Denver Broncos season

In his debut with the Broncos, Welker had nine receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the 49–27 victory over theBaltimore RavensonNBC Sunday Night Football.His two receiving touchdowns were part of a single-game record seven thrown by quarterback Peyton Manning.In Week 4, in a 52–20 victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles,he had seven receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.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.

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.Welker previously suffered a concussion in Week 11 against theKansas City Chiefs.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.

On December 30, the day after Denver's 34–14 victory over theOakland Raiders,head coachJohn Foxannounced that Welker was cleared to play in the Broncos's Divisional Round playoff game against theSan Diego Chargerson January 12, 2014.He had six receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown in the 24–17 victory in theDivisional Round.On January 19, Welker earned his thirdAFC Championship winand 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.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.He was ranked 73rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014.

2014 season

See also:2014 Denver Broncos season

During the third preseason game on August 23, Welker was diagnosed with a concussion after a hit byHouston TexanssafetyD. J. Swearinger.The concussion was Welker's third in ten months.On September 2, the NFL suspended Welker for the first four games of the2014 NFL seasonfor violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy after he failed a drug test due toamphetamines.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 Seahawksin a rematch of the previous year's Super Bowl.In a Week 5 game against theArizona Cardinalson October 5, Welker passedRod Smithfor the most receptions by an undrafted player in NFL history.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 Favrefor the most in NFL history.Overall, he finished the 2014 season with 49 receptions for 464 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.In theDivisional Roundagainst theIndianapolis Colts,he had a 20-yard reception in the 24–13 loss.Welker did not re-sign with the Broncos and became a free agent.

St. Louis Rams

See also:2015 St. Louis Rams season

On November 9, 2015, theSt. Louis Ramssigned Welker to a one-year, $1.8 million contract including incentives.He appeared in eight games, but started none, and had 13 receptions for 102 yards for the Rams in the 2015 season.The 2015 season was Welker's last in the NFL as a player. He acknowledged he had retired in 2017.

NFL career statistics

Legend
	NFL record
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving					Rushing					Kickoff return					Punt 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	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	57	1,313	23.0	95	1	43	464	10.8	71	0	4	1
2005	MIA	16	1	29	434	15.0	47	0	1	5	5.0	5	0	61	1,379	22.6	46	0	43	390	9.1	47	0	5	1
2006	MIA	16	2	67	687	10.3	38	1	—	—	—	—	—	48	1,064	22.2	46	0	41	378	9.2	47	0	3	1
2007	NE	16	13	112	1,175	10.5	42	8	4	34	8.5	27	0	7	176	25.1	33	0	25	249	10.0	35	0	3	0
2008	NE	16	14	111	1,165	10.5	64	3	3	26	8.7	19	0	1	26	26.0	26	0	24	237	9.9	44	0	1	1
2009	NE	14	13	123	1,348	11.0	58	4	5	36	7.2	11	0	2	45	22.5	27	0	27	338	12.5	69	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	3	33	11.0	17	0	25	243	9.7	31	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	183	4,138	22.6	95	1	264	2,584	9.8	71	0	24	6

Super Bowls

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

NFL records

• Most seasons with 105+ receptions: 5
• Most seasons with 110+ receptions: 5
• Most seasons with 115+ receptions: 3
• Most seasons with 120+ receptions: 2 (tied withCris Carter,Antonio BrownandMichael Thomas)
• Most consecutive seasons with 110 receptions: 3 (tied withAntonio Brown)
• Most games with 12+ receptions: 9
• Most games with 13+ receptions: 5 (tied with Antonio Brown)
• Most games with 15+ receptions: 2 (tied withJason Witten,Brandon Marshall,and Antonio Brown)
• Most games with 10+ receptions in a season: 7 (tied withAndre Johnson)
• Fastest receiver to have 500 catches with one team (New England Patriots) (70 games)
• Longest touchdown reception: 99 (September 2, 2011, against theMiami Dolphins) (tied with 12 others)
• Most receptions of any undrafted free agent in NFL history: 903
• Most career punt returns without a touchdown: 264
• Most career punt return yards without a touchdown: 2,584

Dolphins franchise records

• Most career kick return yards: 3,756
• Most career combined Kick and Punt return yards (4,988)
• Most all-purpose yards in a single season: 2,208 (2005)
• Most punt return yards in a single season: 464 (2004)

Patriots franchise records

• Most career receptions: 672
• Most receptions in a single season: 123 (2009)
• Most receiving yards in a single season: 1,569 (2011)
• Most seasons with 100 receptions or more: 5
• Best receiving yards per game average (season): 98.1 (2011)

Coaching career

Houston Texans

On January 30, 2017, Welker began his coaching career and was hired by theHouston Texansas an offensive assistant and special teams assistant coach under head coachBill O'Brien.

San Francisco 49ers

On February 27, 2019, Welker was hired by theSan Francisco 49ersto be their wide receivers coach under head coachKyle Shanahan.

Miami Dolphins

in February 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.

Personal life

Welker was born inOklahoma City, Oklahoma,and is aChristian.He is a citizen of theCherokee Nation,and has a grandmother who lives within Cherokee Nation jurisdiction inSequoyah County,Oklahoma.

While attendingTexas Tech University,Welker was a Texas Epsilon chapter member of thePhi Delta Thetafraternity.Welker graduated from Texas Tech University in 2003 with aBachelor of Business Administrationdegree inManagementfrom theRawls College of Business.

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.

In 2012, Welker married former swimsuit model and 2005 MissHootersPageant WinnerAnna Burns.They have three children.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.Undrafted also won the Group 1 2015Diamond Jubilee StakesatAscot Racecourse.

External links

• Career statistics fromESPN·Yahoo Sports·Pro Football Reference
• Miami Dolphins coaching bio
• Texas Tech Red Raiders bio