Wes Welker's career soared to impressive heights during his six-year run with the New England Patriots. Despite 672 catches and two trips to the Super Bowl, Welker sounds like a man who's happy he got away.
In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, the Denver Broncos wide receiver detailed how his relationship with Bill Belichick deteriorated during his final season in New England.
SI's Chris Ballard wrote that the Patriots coach "got on (Welker) in a way he never had before, admonishing him in front of the team."
"It was just kind of hard," Welker said. "One of those deals where you have to endure him, put up with him. ... But he does it to everybody, it's the way he is."
Welker -- who shares the cover of SI this week with Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker -- said he feels more comfortable not adhering to the rules of Patriot Way.
"When I'm answering questions from the Denver media, I'm not worried about what the Broncos' people are going to think," he said. "I'm worried about what Belichick will think. Isn't that crazy?"
On one hand, Welker owes his entire career to the Patriots, who turned him from Just Another Guy into a Hall of Fame candidate, seemingly overnight.
Then again, Welker isn't the first guy to grow weary of the Belichickian omertà and all that comes with it.
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