Wes Welker signed with the Denver Broncos for a reported 2-year contract worth $12 million.
Reaction to the Denver Broncos' signing of Wes Welker to a reported 2-year contract worth $12 million:
"Based on what we know at the moment, the [Patriots'] offer was either an intentional slap in the face, or a miscalculation" — Chad Finn, Boston.com
"To hear owner Robert Kraft say Monday that he hoped Welker would be a Patriot for life, then discover that the Broncos could swoop in and snatch Welker at those numbers, is a shock." — Mike Reiss, ESPNBoston.com
"Even if all of that [money] is guaranteed, it's mindblowing the Patriots wouldn't match." — Barry Petchesky, Deadspin.com
"It’s hard not to suggest that there something else was at play here, something deeply personal between the two sides that bled over into the talks." — Christopher Price, WEEI.com
"Ultimately the New England Patriots will not miss a beat without Welker. I'm sure Welker's fans will disagree, but I believe the Pro Bowler's success was a byproduct of playing in a great system directed by arguably the best quarterback in football." — Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
"There's nobody better in the league at running option routes [than Welker], and no team's playbook has more option routes in it than New England's." — Doug Farrar, Yahoo! Sports
"At the same time as being an incredible addition by the Broncos, it's extra beneficial to Denver given that they also are taking away a supreme talent from their AFC rivals." — Seth Walder, New York Daily News
"The one hitch in Welker's game is that he's not as sure-handed as he used to be. In 2008 and 2009, Welker caught passes at a rate of 33 for every one he dropped. From 2010 to 2012, he had 326 catches and 26 drops, a rate of 12.5 catches for every drop." — ESPN Stats & Info
"The Patriots will move on and be in contention even without Welker." — James Walker, ESPN.com
What do you think of the move? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and in our Patriots Fan Talk section.