Could The Denver Broncos Cut Ties With Slot Receiver Wes Welker?
By Andrew Dill
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Could The Broncos Cut Ties With Wes Welker?
The Denver Broncos have plenty of needs to fix in the offseason including needs on the defensive side of the ball. One topic that has come to the public is whether the Denver Broncos should retain slot-receiver Wes Welker. If you remember correctly, Denver signed him to a two-year deal in the offseason prying him away from the New England Patriots worth $12-million.
The main reason why they would release the slot-receiver is due to the fact that the Broncos cap will take a $8-million dollar hit in the 2014 season due to his contact. Here is more from ProFootballTalk.com on the contract situation.
"His $6 million in compensation hits the books in March, via a $3 million roster bonus and a $3 million base salary. If the Broncos want to pay the twice-concussed (in 2013) Welker less than that, they don’t have much time to work out a new deal."
Another reason they could cut ties with Welker is due to the concussion issues the past few seasons. Welker would miss the final three games of the regular season due to a hit he took in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans. He did return for the playoffs with a customized helmet that would include more padding.
"“I wouldn’t say it’s a concussion helmet,” Welker said, via the Denver Post. “It’s the next size up. A few players in here wear one. It’s something they had me wear for safety.”"
If the Broncos aren’t able to work out the details in Welker’s contract, could they possibly look into another Patriots wide-out in Julian Edleman? Time will tell but it’s highly-unlikely at this point and I don’t believe New England would allow that to happen again.
More from Tom Curran of CSN New England about Welker.
"As Tom Curran of CSN New England pointed out on Friday’s edition of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN, the Broncos could decide to move on, if an impasse is reached. And that could put Welker back on the market."