After being let go by the Miami Dolphins at the end of the season, former San Francisco 49ers wide receivers coach Wes Welker has landed a new opportunity for the 2025 season.
On Monday, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that Welker is joining the Washington Commanders’ coaching staff. According to ESPN’s John Keim, the former 49ers wide receivers coach will be a personnel analyst with Washington, working with personnel and coaching staffs.
Wes Welker, who was in the news last week as a worthy nominee for the Patriots Hall of Fame (672 catches over 6 regular seasons + another 69 in playoffs), is in the news again this week.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 7, 2025
Welker, the former Dolphins WRs coach, has landed on the Commanders staff, per sources.
Wes Welker will be a personnel analyst with Washington, working with both the personnel and coaching staffs.
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 7, 2025
Even though Welker won’t be the Commanders' WRs coach, which is currently held by Bobby Engram, he will be reunited with former 49ers' playmaker Deebo Samuel. In late February, the 49ers traded Samuel to Washington for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Welker joined Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff in 2019 as the Niners’ wide receivers coach after he started his coaching career with the Houston Texans in 2017 as an offensive assistant. The 43-year-old Welker worked with Samuel and the rest of San Francisco’s receiver core for a couple of years.
After that, Welker was hired by the Dolphins in 2022, where he was until the end of the 2024 campaign.
Samuel’s best year with the 49ers was in 2021 under Welker’s direction. The veteran wideout posted a career-high 77 receptions (121 targets) for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. Samuel added 365 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground on 56 carries.
Samuel was named to his first and only Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro for his performance that season. The Commanders hope Samuel can return to that level, playing next to Terry McLaurin after a down 2024 season in San Francisco.
Last season with the 49ers, Samuel recorded 51 receptions (81 targets) for 670 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 136 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, but it was a frustrating and disappointing performance.
That said, having a familiar face in Welker joining Samuel in Washington could help Samuel get back on track.