FOXBORO, Mass. — Wide receiver Wes Welker said Wednesday that he's hoping to remain with the Patriots after this season when his contract expires.
"Well, of course I want to stay here, but as of right now, I don't really think about it," Welker said. "I just try to focus on this year and everything I can do to help the team this year."
Welker hasn't said whether or not he has been involved in contract discussions with the team, but he's not looking for greener pastures.
"I am always proud to be a Patriot in everything we're trying to accomplish here," Welker said. "I think we have a great owner and great coaches and they have put together a great model for us to go out there and succeed. Any time you're a part of that, it's a pretty special thing."
Welker also knows how good he's got it with Tom Brady. The wide receiver became the first player in history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 110 receptions.
And this season, Welker is on pace to set a couple more records. He's got 45 receptions for 740 yards through five games, which has him on pace for 144 catches and 2,368 yards by the end of the season. Marvin Harrison has the record with 143 receptions in 2002, and Jerry Rice set the yardage record with 1,848 in 1995.
Welker said there's no way he'd post the same numbers with a different quarterback.
"No, there's no question, there's no way I would," Welker said. "I think in my time in Miami, I went through four or five quarterbacks and didn't play as much. Being here, with Tom, in this offense, I am not going to sit here and say I'd have the same numbers. No way."
