Wes Welker signed on with the Denver Broncos two seasons ago to become Peyton Manning's new safety blanket. At the time, the Broncos needed the slot receiver to help give the offense a needed boost. However, thanks to the rise of Demaryius Thomas and the addition of Emmanuel Sanders, Welker is now the No. 4 option for the quarterback instead of the No. 1. Currently in the final year of his contract, Welker might realize he is much lower on the totem pole than he prefers when it comes to contract negotiations.
The Broncos will have a very busy offseason when it comes to writing checks. Several are due contract extensions, players the team cannot afford to let get away. Both Demaryius and Julius Thomas need new deals after having their recent negotiations halted for the remainder of the season. ESPN reported the Broncos have ended all contract talks in order to eliminate distractions for the players. That just means there will be added urgency to get deals in place come the offseason.
Welker is another player who will be looking for a new contract, but it might not come from Denver. The rise of Sanders has hurt Welker's value to the team. Yes, the receiver is still as talented as ever in the slot position, but Manning has Sanders and Thomas sprinting down the field while Julius covers the middle. Welker is expendable.
There is also the issue of Welker's health. The receiver has struggled with concussion issues over the past few seasons that have many wondering just how much longer his career will last. Bleacher Report makes note that many teams believe it could be time for Welker to retire due to health reasons. However, concussions might not stop a team from making a run at the receiver, but a long-term contract might be out of the question.
The Broncos opted not trade Welker at the deadline simply because there was no need to. The Broncos planned on reaping the benefits of having Welker on the roster, but that does not mean they plan on extending him for the future. If Welker wants a new deal, he should be willing to tailor his expectations of what he is willing to accept and where he is willing to go. Teams like the Oakland Raiders or Minnesota Vikings would love to have the slot receiver on their team, but if Welker is only willing to sign with a contender then he needs to lower his price demands.
