The Washington Commanders are pulling out all the stops for the 2025 season, reflecting their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders for the first time in decades.
Their latest move involves a high-profile coaching hire. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss on April 7, the Commanders have brought on four-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver Wes Welker.
Welker has served as a wide receivers coach for the past six seasons—three with the San Francisco 49ers (2019–2021) and three with the Miami Dolphins (2022–2024).
“Wes Welker, recently nominated for the Patriots Hall of Fame thanks to his 672 regular-season receptions and 69 more in the playoffs, is making headlines again,” Reiss shared on X. “He’s joining the Commanders’ staff after his time as the Dolphins’ WR coach, per sources.”
Welker already has several connections within the Commanders organization. He played college football at Texas Tech alongside current offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and later worked with general manager Adam Peters during their time together in San Francisco.
JP Finlay of NBC 4 Sports confirmed the news as well: “Source confirms Wes Welker will join the Commanders staff as a personnel analyst,” Finlay posted on X. “He’ll be involved with both the coaching and personnel departments.”
Notably, Welker coached during the peak of Deebo Samuel’s career with the 49ers in 2021, when the wide receiver posted career highs in receiving yards (1,405), rushing yards (365), and total touchdowns (14), earning All-Pro honors.
Welker Worked With Some of NFL’s Elite Wide Receivers
In 2021, under Wes Welker’s guidance, Deebo Samuel became the first 49ers wide receiver to earn All-Pro honors since Hall of Famer Terrell Owens in 2002, and the first Pro Bowl selection at the position for San Francisco since Owens in 2003.
Welker’s impact continued with the Miami Dolphins, where he helped mold one of the league’s most explosive receiving duos. Tyreek Hill earned All-Pro honors in both 2022 and 2023, surpassing 1,700 receiving yards in each season. Hill led the NFL in 2023 with 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns, while fellow Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle also topped 1,000 receiving yards that year.
One of NFL’s Greatest Slot Wide Receivers of All Time
Wes Welker enjoyed a standout college and NFL career, playing 12 seasons across five teams and leading the league in receptions three times.
At Texas Tech, he was a two-time All-Big 12 selection in 2002 and 2003, racking up 5,577 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns. He also set an NCAA record with 1,761 punt return yards, including eight returned for touchdowns.
Despite going undrafted in 2004, Welker initially made the San Diego Chargers roster out of training camp. However, head coach Marty Schottenheimer released him after one game to make room for safety Clinton Hart. Welker finished that season with the Miami Dolphins, where he spent the next three years.
Welker made his biggest impact with the New England Patriots from 2007 to 2012, earning five Pro Bowl nods in six seasons and posting five 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions by an undrafted player (903) and ranks 20th in league history with 16,796 all-purpose yards.
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