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Former Patriots Legend Under Consideration for Position on Mike Vrabel's Staff

Former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker could be the perfect candidate for the team's WRs coach vacancy.

By Jovan Alford

Jan 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mike Vrabel addresses media at a press conference to announce his hiring as the head coach of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Jan 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mike Vrabel addresses media at a press conference to announce his hiring as the head coach of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has done a great job filling out his coaching staff with coaches he’s had previous relationships with. At offensive coordinator, Vrabel brought back Josh McDaniels to Foxborough.

Meanwhile, Vrabel hired former Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams as the defensive line coach. 

Before joining the Lions this season, Williams spent multiple years with Vrabel in Tennessee. He also went with the same theme for position coaches, which is a smart move.

However, the new Patriots head coach still hasn’t found a wide receivers coach. Unlike his other hires, Vrabel cannot get one of his guys as former Titans WR coach Rob Moore is under contract with the Carolina Panthers.

That said, if Vrabel wanted to go with the former Patriot route, ESPN’s Mike Reiss brings up a familiar name to the fanbase who could fill the vacancy. In his weekly column, Reiss reports that Wes Welker is among the options the Patriots have considered for the WRs coach.

Welker most recently worked with the Miami Dolphins as their wide receivers coach and passing game specialist for the past three years, where he worked with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. However, the Dolphins parted ways with the former Patriots legend after the season ended.

"Wes Welker, who coached receivers in San Francisco (2019-21) and Miami (2022-24), is among the options the Patriots have considered, according to league sources. Welker's coaching career began in Houston under Bill O'Brien in 2017, when Vrabel was defensive coordinator. And, of course, he played for McDaniels in New England. So, there's history there if both sides feel it's a fit."

Tyler Hughes was New England’s WRs coach this season, but he was let go after Vrabel was named the head coach. Welker spent six seasons with the Patriots, where he was named to five Pro Bowls and a two-time first-team All-Pro.

After spending six seasons in New England, Welker played two years with the Denver Broncos and finished his career in 2015 with the then-St. Louis Rams. When Welker hung up the cleats, he jumped into coaching, joining the Houston Texans in 2017 as an offensive assistant.

Welker used that experience to become a WRs coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and then with the Dolphins.

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