Maybe this is why the Pats didn’t give Welker an extension? I kid of course.

Look, we all love watching Welker play, and with the number of receivers the Pats have developed over the years there’s no question there’s some risk should the Pats lose Welker after this year, which at this point seems probable, BUT….

There is no denying that receivers start to lose it after age thirty. Couple that with Welker’s penchant for taking huge hits where he makes his living in the middle of the field and it’s easy to see why the Pats might balk at giving him a monstrous long term contract. The risk that Welker is not the same player within the next two years is considerable and it’s not like the Pats give out big, long-term contracts anyways.

The Patriots offense is going to be built for the long-term around Gronk, and really, if you had to choose between Welker and Hernandez as the complimentary piece who are going to put your money into? To be honest I’m not even sure the lack of Welker long term deal means a long term one for Hernando next off-season, but it’s clear Welker is the riskier investment.

It’s always tough when it comes to the Pats, players we have grown to love and contracts, but the front office in Foxboro doesn’t let nostalgia get in the way of their offers. They continue to do things with a long term outlook, and ultimately that’s the thing that has kept them winning over the past decade, not loyalty to great players who have been a blast to watch.

It’s unfortunate, but it just goes to show that we should all enjoy this year of Brady and Welker together, it might not ever happen again. And that’s okay.