What is Wes Welker's Net Worth?
Wes Welker is an American professional football coach and former wide receiver who has a net worth of $25 million. Wes Welker is a wide receiver coach for the Miami Dolphins. Previously, he served as an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans. During his playing career, Welker played for the Dolphins, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams, and New England Patriots, setting franchise records in numerous categories with the lattermost team.
Career Earnings
During his NFL career Wes Welker earned $40 million in total NFL salary. He earned several million more from endorsements. His peak single-season salary was $9.5 million. As a wide receiver coach he earns $1.5 million per year.
Early Life and High School
Wes Welker was born on May 1, 1981 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Welker began his football career as a teenager at Heritage Hall High School, where he helped lead his team to the 2A State Football championship title. He finished his high school career with 3,235 rushing yards, 53 rushing touchdowns, and 174 receptions for 2,551 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, on defense, he posted 22 interceptions and 581 tackles.
Collegiate Career
For college, Welker went to Texas Tech University, where he played for the Red Raiders football team. In his freshman season, he recorded 26 receptions for 334 yards, as well as 17 kickoff returns. As a sophomore, he posted 50 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Welker had his best season yet as a junior in 2002, recording 86 receptions for 1,054 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Further, he helped the Red Raiders win the Tangerine Bowl over Clemson. He finished his collegiate career on a high note with 97 receptions for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003. Over his four seasons at Texas Tech, Welker set the NCAA record for most punt return yards, with 1,761.
Miami Dolphins
Undrafted in the 2004 NFL Draft, Welker ended up signing as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers; however, he was released after the first game of the season. He subsequently signed with the Miami Dolphins, which mostly used him on special teams at first. Welker concluded his rookie season with 61 kickoff returns for 1,415 net yards, as well as 43 punt returns for 464 net yards. The next season, as wide receiver, he finished with 29 receptions for 434 yards. In the 2006 season, his final one with the Dolphins, Welker posted a team-best 67 receptions for 687 yards and a touchdown. He also returned 48 kickoffs for 1,048 yards and 41 punts for 378 yards.
New England Patriots
Welker was traded to the New England Patriots in 2007. He went on to have his best season in the NFL to that point, setting career highs for single-game yardage three times and setting or tying franchise records for catches and single-season receptions. The Patriots went on to reach Super Bowl XLII, where they fell to the New York Giants. Welker continued his success through the 2008 season, finishing with a league-leading 96 receptions for 1,002 yards; he also notched his second-consecutive 100-reception season, making him the first Patriots player to achieve that feat. Welker had another 100-reception season in 2009 before being sidelined due to MCL and ACL injuries. He finished the season with a league-high 123 receptions, the second-highest total in the history of the NFL.
In the 2010 season, Welker posted 86 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. He went on to have his fourth 100-reception season in 2011, the same season he set a new franchise record for receiving yards. Welker finished the season leading the league in receiving yards, receptions, and yards per game. He and the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl XLVI, where they once again lost to the Giants. In 2012, Welker reached the franchise record for receptions, and finished the season with 118 receptions for 1,354 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Moving on to the AFC championship, the Patriots were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens.
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Denver Broncos
Welker signed with the Denver Broncos in March of 2013. He had an incredibly strong first season with the team, despite suffering a concussion and a neck injury. After helping the Broncos claim the AFC championship title, his career third, he then helped lead the team to Super Bowl XLVIII. There, the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Welker got off to a rocky start in the 2014 season, first due to a concussion in the preseason and later due to his violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. Things got better, although not great, after that; he finished the season with 49 receptions for 464 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, and went with the Broncos to the divisional round, where the team lost to the Indianapolis Colts.
St. Louis Rams and Retirement
In late 2015, Welker signed with the St. Louis Rams. He went on to appear in eight games for the team that season, recording 13 receptions for 102 yards. This was his final season as an NFL player; in 2017, he acknowledged his retirement.
Coaching Career
Welker launched his coaching career in early 2017 when he was hired by the Houston Texans as the team's offensive assistant and special teams assistant coach. Following that stint, Welker became wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. He spent three years in that position, and then became wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Personal Life
In 2012, Welker wed former swimsuit model Anna Burns. Together, they have three children.
Among his other endeavors, Welker runs his own foundation in Oklahoma City that serves at-risk youth through athletics and positive role models. He also owns a gelding racehorse named Undrafted that has competed in various competitions.
