Wes Welker’s frantic rehabilitation from ACL surgery was partially motivated by a surprising source.
“I think he’s crazy,” a friend of Welker that plays for another NFL team told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. “He wants a new deal, and the Patriots have Julian Edelman lined up as his replacement. If I were Wes, I wouldn’t even consider coming back until October.”
Well, that’s something we didn’t think about before. There hasn’t been even of a whiff of contract talk surrounding the slot receiver.
Welker seems like the type to attack his rehab hard regardless, but he’s also undeniably one of the best bargains in football. The Patriots signed Welker to a five-year, $18.1 million contract when they acquired him from Miami in March of 2007.
With two years left on the contract, it’s hard to imagine Welker getting paid again anytime soon. The Patriots first have to sign Tom Brady, and then Welker has to show he’s all the way back. Even if that happens early this season, a new deal would be a surprise.
Welker, of course, was not comfortable talking about the issue publicly.
“I’ve got two years left on my deal,” Welker said. “I’m just here to play ball. I just worry about doing my job and let everything else take care of itself. I want to be out here to help my team win.”
Expect to hear that quote from Welker again when the vast Patriots media horde hears about Silver’s little knowledge bomb.