Wes Welker did not exactly part ways with the New England Patriots on good terms. The wide receiver who spent several seasons as Tom Brady's favorite target left in free agency after not being satisfied with the contract offer from the team. Welker then made note that he and head coach Bill Belichick did not exactly see eye to eye during his tenure with the Patriots. Now, both sides are denying bad blood as the Broncos and Patriots face off on Sunday.
Both Welker and Belichick have noted that they have moved on from the drama of that plagued the wide receiver's free agency stint. Welker says that the matchup against the New England Patriots is simply just another game before getting to the Super Bowl while Belichick says he still has a great deal of respect for his former player.
"Way past that," Belichick said, via the Associated Press. "I have a lot of respect for Wes and what he did for us and what he's done for the Broncos and what he's done throughout his career."
Welker has certainly done well for himself since departing New England. He was able to return to the Super Bowl last season and is currently helping lead the Denver Broncos on another impressive run this year. However, while in New England he was the No. 1 option for Brady, on the Broncos roster he is No. 3 at best thanks to the rise of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Welker feels ok about his role on the team.
"It is kind of strange," Welker said, via the Denver Post. "I feel like I am the weak link of our offense. But if I am the weak link, we're going to be OK."
Weak link is not exactly how the Broncos would describe Welker considering the receiver recently set the record for career receptions by an undrafted player. He continues to redefine the slot position on offense while making both Thomas and Sanders better as a result.
"He's far from the weak link. The thing is, it could be anybody's day on any given Sunday," receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. "He just hasn't had his opportunity. Wes can go for three touchdowns against anyone. I feel like it's going to click for him pretty soon."
The issue for Welker could come in the offseason as the receiver will once again be a free agent. The Broncos have to re-sign both Thomas and Julius Thomas who appear to be taking priority over Welker which means the receiver could be headed elsewhere come 2015.
