Wes Welker has certainly had an interesting season so far in 2014. In a contract year with the Denver Broncos, Welker was looking to have a big year before seeking a new contract. Instead he started things off with a suspension for violating the league's drug policy while also suffering yet another concussion leaving him off the field for an extended period of time. When on the field, Welker is a true offensive threat, but is he a priority for the Broncos in the offseason?
Denver has a lot of checks to write in the coming offseason. The Broncos have called off all contract negotiations with upcoming free agents in order for things not to become a distraction. That only puts more pressure on the team to get negotiations taken care of next summer. Denver has one franchise tag to work with and several offensive stars to resign. Is Welker the odd man out?
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported that Denver has ended contract talks with both Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas while the season is going on. Both the wide receiver and tight end had contract negotiations prior to training camp, but no deals were made. It was even reported that Demaryius was offered a five-year deal and turned it down. Both players expect to be highly paid come the offseason which hurts potential deals for other players.
"We've had the (financial) flexibility because of the young guys we've had," general manager John Elway said, via NFL Media. "We're running into it now, but that's where you wanna be -- you have good players, and you have to make decisions. That only happens when you have talent, and this offseason, we'll have some tough decisions to make."
With both Thomas players likely getting the priority in 2015, a trade of Welker should not be over looked. Right now, the Broncos have Emmanuel Sanders who is developing into Peyton Manning's favorite target. Pairing him alongside Demaryius and Julius is not a bad receiving corps, not to mention the young talent developing. Welker is, in some ways, expendable to the Broncos.
A deal of the receiver is extremely unlikely. The only teams that would look at him are playoff contenders and Denver would never make that move. In the end, having Welker on the roster is better than not having him at all. The return rate on the receiver would not blow the Broncos away. He might be worth a late draft pick at best, so it is in their best interest to simply keep Welker and then let him walk away in free agency.
