Why the Patriots and Wes Welker separated

                Why the Patriots and Wes Welker separated 

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When the New England Patriots moved to sign Danny Amendola quickly after Wes Welker's departure, I opined that the Patriots preferred Amendola all along. The facts coming out in the wake of the stunning move support the theory.

1. The Patriots "moved near securing a bargain for Amendola soon after unhindered firm began on Tuesday. The Patriots and Welker quit arranging before unlimited bureau opened, and the Patriots fundamentally proceeded onward pronto. The terms for Amendola's contract were fundamentally set up well before Welker settled on his choice.

2. Welker's side of the transacting table accepted Amendola was the Patriots' top decision from the beginning.

3. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported, Welker brought Denver's offer back to the Patriots at the last minute to see if they would increase their offer. Welker wanted to stay. The Patriots didn't answer right away according to Reiss, which gave Welker's side hope. And then the Patriots told Welker they already had an agreement with someone else. Ouch.
4. The Patriots and Welker were only $1 million apart on a potential three-year deal last summer. Hindsight is 20-20, but Welker might have missed his best earning potential at that point.
5. New England's two year, $10 million offer could have reached $16 million with incentives. But Welker felt the incentives were too difficult to reach.
 6. A different AFC crew joined the offering for Welker, offering $15 million over two years. So Welker turned down increasingly cash to join the Broncos for the reason that he needed to play for a fighting crew. It's uncommon to see a player take less cash for a chance at a ring. Reiss doesn't recognize the secret crew, however ESPN's Adam Schefter later disclosed that the Titans were in on the Welker offering.

7. Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England notes that this standoff was about appreciation. We concur. It got private. Curran indicates that the Patriots didn't have Bill Belichick or Robert Kraft included throughout contract talks at a gathering final summer. It was guide Floyd Reese, a man that didn't have the power make a bargain.

8. Reiss states Brady is "freeloaded out" about Welker's takeoff, granted that Reiss notes that Brady has been through it before with Lawyer Milloy and Deion Branch.

Put it all together, and you get a clearer picture why a favorite, gainful player was permitted to stroll away. It was a transacting standoff the Patriots were dead set not to "lose." They didn't without a doubt need Welker back.

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