The Jets won’t have to worry about Wes Welker
tormenting them on a regular basis anymore.
The Patriots’ prolific slot receiver sent shockwaves yesterday by bolting the security of Tom Brady for another future Hall of Fame quarterback in Denver, signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Broncos to be another weapon for Peyton Manning.
Welker picked Denver after giving New England a chance to match or better the Broncos’ fully guaranteed offer and getting insulted instead with a two-year, incentive-laden proposal
worth $10 million.
The Patriots didn’t waste any time replacing Welker, though, agreeing to a five-year, $31 million deal with former Rams slot receiver Danny
Amendola just hours after Welker’s decision was announced.
Welker, 31, will provide Manning with one of the most dangerous slot receivers in NFL history after totaling an eye-popping 672 catches for 7,459 yards and
37 touchdowns in just six seasons with the Patriots.
Welker was no friend of the Jets, rolling up 85 catches for 995 yards in 17 games against them. Only the Bills (99 receptions for 1,109 yards) and the Dolphins (95 catches for 1,178 yards) suffered more.
It will be interesting to see how Brady, who recently reworked his contract to give the Patriots more operating room under the salary cap, reacts to Welker’s departure. The two have been tight, and Brady was open about wanting his friend to stay.