Wes Welker has played in his fair share of powerful offenses during his career, and he’s been a major contributor in all of them.
Yet the 33-year-old wide receiver hasn’t exactly been a pass-catching machine in 2014. Which is fine, because on the Denver Broncos’ offense, he doesn’t need to be.
The Broncos are among the NFL’s leaders in passing with 2,079 yards and 22 touchdowns, but Welker is responsible for just 181 yards and one score this season after tallying 778 yards and a career-high 10 TDs in 2013.
The former New England Patriot is well aware of these stats, and he directly addressed his diminished role Wednesday.
“Yeah it’s definitely been different, for sure,” Welker told reporters, via ESPN.com. “Would I want the ball more? Yes. As long as we’re winning games and we’re being productive on offense and doing those things, I’m good with however we get that done. It’s kind of strange being, I feel like, the weak link of our offense. If I’m the weak link, we’re going to be OK.”
The Broncos certainly are doing OK so far, as the trio of Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and newcomer Emmanuel Sanders has shouldered the load during the team’s 6-1 start.
Those three players, of course, had the benefit of playing every game this season, as Welker was suspended for the first four contests after violating the NFL’s drug policy. Yet Welker says he’s fine with his limited role, even if continues against his former team Sunday in Foxboro.
“I’m not going to put any pressure on (quarterback Peyton Manning) or anything else, (saying) ‘Hey, I really need the ball because I’m playing my old team,’ or anything like that,” Welker said. “I just want to go out there and whatever we need to do to win the game, that’s first and foremost for me.”
Photo via Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
