Wes Welker recently turned 34 recently and has suffered multiple head injuries over the past two years, but he is not yet ready to call it a career.
Welker is currently looking for work, and he said Tuesday that he is open to returning to the team with which he had most of his success — the New England Patriots.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to it. It’s a great organization, obviously, and a great team,” Welker told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich, as transcribed by Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald. “It wouldn’t be the worst situation in the world.”
Welker admitted that he has contemplated retirement but is simply not ready to accept that his playing days are over.
“At times you’re sitting there and thinking, ‘Well maybe I should (retire).’ I think it’s just people kind of (pressuring you), but the more you think about it, and you’re away from it, I’m not ready to (retire),” he said. “I still feel good. I still feel like I have some really good football left in me. I’ve always said (I’ll play) until the wheels fall off.”
Welker visited with another one of his former teams earlier this offseason, but it does not appear there was much interest. His production dipped dramatically with the Denver Broncos in 2013 and 2014 after he caught 100-plus balls in five of six seasons with the Patriots. Concussions had a lot to do with that.
Things didn’t appear to end well between Welker and Bill Belichick, who ripped his former receiver during the playoffs last year over a rub play on Aqib Talib. Then again, the Patriots have already brought back one player this offseason who seemingly burnt every bridge he could on his way out of town.
If the Patriots did sign Welker, it would only be for depth and he would not be guaranteed a roster spot. Julian Edelman has clearly emerged as Tom Brady’s favorite target, and Brady’s chemistry with Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola improved as the season went on last year. The Pats are likely content with what they have.
