Sports

Commanders hiring of Wes Welker reunites him with familiar faces

The Washington Commanders hired a big name on Monday. They hired former All-Pro wide receiver Wes Welker to a staff role, with the official title of personnel analyst.

What exactly is a personnel analyst? Welker began coaching in 2017 and has been a wide receivers coach for the previous six seasons (three in San Francisco and the last three in Miami). In his role with the Commanders, Welker will assist the coaching staff while also working with general manager Adam Peters and his staff.

Welker’s hiring is a reunion of sorts for him. First, there’s offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. While both are graduates of Texas Tech, Kingsbury was actually Welker’s college quarterback. They were teammates for three seasons (2000-02), while Kingsbury was putting up video-game numbers in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, Welker quickly became one of his favorite targets. Welker caught 297 passes for the Red Raiders, with 162 coming in his first three seasons when Kingsbury was the primary quarterback.

Here’s this throwback photo, courtesy of Peter Schrager.

The two have always maintained a strong relationship with Welker going on to become one of the NFL’s best receivers during his playing days, while Kingsbury became a prominent coach. Back in 2013 when Welker was still playing, he advocated for Kingsbury to become their alma mater’s head coach.

“Well, I had been hitting up people, calling up people, like, ‘This is our guy, this is who we need to get,'” Welker told Jake Trotter of ESPN in 2013. “I think when you’re at Texas Tech, you can’t just go get a name. You have to be on the cutting edge. And try to find that guy who is going to be the next great one.”

Here’s more from Welker on Kingsbury.

 “Kliff was an usher in my wedding,” said Welker. “We’re close. I want him to succeed. I want to see him do well. I want to see my university do well. He came to my foundation event here in Oklahoma City and had the spring game the next day. He flew back that morning for the spring game. He’s just a good dude. Always been a good friend. And I really want to see him succeed.”

Welker spent six seasons as Texas Tech’s head coach before becoming head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.

In addition to reuniting with Kingsbury, Welker also reunites with Peters. Peters was in New England for Welker’s first two seasons as a Patriot (2007-08). Welker signed with the Denver Broncos in 2013 and spent two seasons there. At this time, Peters was Denver’s director of college scouting. Finally, in 2019, Peters was vice president of player personnel for the San Francisco 49ers when Welker was hired as wide receivers coach. This was Welker’s first time becoming a position coach. Welker was with the 49ers for three seasons.

In 2019, Peters and the 49ers spent a second-round pick on wide receiver Deebo Samuel. For his first three seasons, Samuel would have the opportunity to be coached by Welker, one of the greatest slot receivers in NFL history. They grew close, and Samuel’s 2021 season was his best NFL season to date.

Why did Washington hire Welker? Are they doing him a favor, or is this another way to get the most out of an already motivated Samuel?

Regardless, this is another case of Washington making a shrewd hire. In addition to Samuel, second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey stands the most to benefit from Welker’s presence. The Commanders believe in McCaffrey. While he didn’t put up huge numbers as a rookie, he did get open. They want him to take the next step in 2025, and Welker could help get him there.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ hiring of Wes Welker reunites him with Kliff Kingsbury

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