When Patriots wide recevier Wes Welker left via free agency two years ago, New England did about all they could after signing free agent Danny Amendola, while also elevating the responsibilities of Julian Edelman as they tried to fill the void of what had been one of their more productive receivers.
Most had thought the younger and more athletic Amendola was going to be the Patriots long-term answer after Welker crossed over and joined long-time nemesis Peyton Manning in Denver. However, an injury-riddled first season for Amendola allowed Edelman to ultimately emerge as Tom Brady's new go-to receiver. While Welker seemingly got the best of his former team in the AFC Championship game that year, one year later the Patriots did something Welker and the Broncos couldn't do that season.
Beat the Seahawks, and win it all.
Denver was knocked out of the postseason back in January, leaving the Broncos to try and figure out what they'll do heading into 2015. For now Welker doesn't appear to be part of that equation, leaving the veteran to explore his options as a free agent.
Could the Patriots bring him back? Welker seems to be hoping that's the case.
"There' s no question," Welker told the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels on Tuesday. "I don't know how much I'm on their radar. They're definitely on mine. We'll see what happens."
It's tough to say if a return would make sense at this point because things have already changed drastically since he left. Brandon LaFell and Edelman are now the primary targets in the offense, with Amendola as another player complementing a group that enjoyed a full season with Rob Gronkowski healthy. They're all coming back in 2015 and the continuity in the offense last year was terrific.
 Welker had a good run in New England, but they don't need him any more. (USA TODAY Images) |
We know the chemistry between Brady and Welker was great and that the two were, and still are, good friends. But bringing Welker back would essentially give them three players with similar skillsets, and as much as people like to downplay what Amendola's brings to the offense, his athleticism and physical abilities outweigh where Welker's at in his career.
The veteran has deteriorated physically and no longer looks like the same player. To make matters worse, he's suffered multiple concussions in the last two seasons, leaving some wondering if he should finally make the difficult decision to retire.
Welker might be hoping to come back and correct the mistake he seemingly made when he left the first time, but as difficult as it was to see him go, it's hard not to make the argument that it ended up being a key moment in the Patriots' history. It gave Edelman the opportunity to emerge and become the key component to New England's fourth title and it gave the Patriots another player in Amendola, who ended up quietly becoming another important part of the equation. He made some key plays down the stretch, including a touchdown against the Seahawks and he's got plenty to build on heading into 2015.
Unfortunately coming off of a Super Bowl win, the Patriots need to move forward. Welker gave the team a lot of great memories, but the guys they have now helped bring them a Lombardi Trophy and it just doesn't seem to make sense to change that.
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