Wes Welker still doesn’t have an NFL job, but that didn’t stop him from getting a taste of the action this week, albeit in a different capacity.
The veteran wide receiver, who currently is a free agent, was present at the Miami Dolphins’ organized team activities on both Monday and Tuesday to pay a visit to first-year head coach Adam Gase and serve in an “advisory role.”
“He lives, like, five minutes away,” Gase said Monday, via ESPN.com. “It’s a good outlet for him. With my history with him in Denver, I love being around him. He’s such a football guy. For him to come out there, and if our guys get one thing from him, I think that’s a great thing for our guys to have.”
Welker spent two seasons with the Broncos in 2013 and 2014, when Gase served as offensive coordinator. Welker caught 10 touchdown passes in 2013 but saw his numbers decline in 2014 amid issues with concussions. The 35-year-old has been on the NFL fringes ever since, signing with the St. Louis Rams last season but catching just 13 passes in eight games played.
The former New England Patriots star said in a recent NFL Network appearance he’s considering retirement but hasn’t made a decision. Yet that decision might be made for him, as Gase replied with a simple “No” when asked if he envisioned Welker playing for Miami.
Welker still has a connection with the franchise, though — he got his first big break with the Dolphins in 2004 as a special-teamer and did enough in three seasons to catch the Patriots’ eye — so it’s possible he could serve in a coaching capacity if his playing days indeed are over.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports Images
