Sports Then and Now

We have seen the last of Wes Welker in a Patriots uniform.

As the 2013 edition of NFL free agency is barely a day old, the Patriots don’t appear any closer in being able to reach an agreement with Pro Bowl wide receiver, Wes Welker. What’s even worse is that the Denver Broncos do.

It has been reported throughout the day that the receiver has been “in serious talks” with Broncos management. Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news regarding the situation earlier in the day after hearing it from league sources.

6:40 p.m.: Now, it appears that Brady is being described as “enraged” at the situation. Who exactly he is enraged at is not perfectly clear.

5:50 p.m.: Faulk Again: “NO…RT @luko65: @feezy_k do you think there is a reasonable replacment for wes out there?”

5:25 p.m.: Chandler Jones tweeted the following: “Hey @WesWelker it was a pleasure being your teammate, learned alot from ya even tho we didn’t talk much! I’m a fan and always will be..” His next tweet, just a minute later, read “#Respect.”

5:22 p.m.: Tom E. Curran tweets this: “Spoke to someone close to Tom Brady. Beyond enraged at contract details that netted Broncos Wes Welker. “Disgrace” “disservice” were used.”

5:21 p.m.: “Wes Welker to the Broncos” trending worldwide.

5:20 p.m.: Former Patriot, Kevin Faulk, had this to say regarding the situation: “I hear you Justin.RT @GilbertDustin: @feezy_k why .. Why are we so cheap …why did Brady bother to even take a pay cut .. So crazy and dumb” in response to a tweet from a fan.

5:15 p.m.: Breer reported that the Patriots’ counter-offer was for two years and $10 million plus incentives.

5:00 p.m.: Schefter reports that the deal is for two years and just $12 million. Hard to believe the Patriots wouldn’t match that.

4:56 p.m.: Broncos VP pf Football Operations, John Elway, posted this tweet: “Agreed to terms on a 2-yr deal with Wes Welker. Excited to have Wes join the Broncos. His production & toughness will be a great asset!”

4:55 p.m.: Schefter confirmed that it is a two-year deal.

4:54 p.m. Adam Schefter just reported that Welker has agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos via twitter.

@AdamSchefter: what many in New England thought wouldn’t happen has. Wes Welker has left the Patriots. He’s a Bronco.

4:44 p.m. It was reported that the Patriots offered Welker four years and $32 million in response to the Denver offer, but, as that was their original offer, there appears to be some confusion.

4:33 p.m. Albert Breer reported that the offer is a multi-year deal.

4:19 p.m. Mike Procopio reported that Denver’s offer was for four years and $35 million. The Pats had offered four years/$32 million.

4:17 p.m. Albert Breer clarifies Welker is still in Boston at the moment.

4:10 p.m.: Mike Giardi tweeted that Welker has gone back to the Patriots to see if they will match the Denver offer.

3:45 p.m.: Several league sources have since confirmed the initial report that the signing is, in fact, “very likely” and “almost done.” No NFL receiver has more receptions than No. 83 since the start of the 2007 season, but the Patriots do not appear willing to pay him Calvin Johnson-like money.

The Pats could still make a last-minute effort to try to bring him back, but as of right now, it does not look good. With Welker joining Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Stokley, the Broncos would have one of the best-looking offenses in the league and perhaps become the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLVIII.

3:20 p.m.: Greg A. Bedard of boston.com has been following the situation in the last hour and has offered some information that may not sit well with the majority of Patriots fans. At around 3:20 p.m., Bedard tweeted that a Denver deal with Welker is “very likely,” again, according to a league source.

The story on boston.com says that a decision is expected to come some time before the end of the day Wednesday. Just minutes ago, another report came through saying that the deal is “almost done.” More specifically, Ron Borges, moments ago reported that the two sides have the framework of an acceptable deal, but the details still need to be worked out.

“It would be a great move,” said Brandon Stokley of the Broncos, though no official announcement has come as yet.

Welker made no secret about his desire to test the free agent market after his latest season was played under the franchise tag. In fact, I believe that if the Pats did not tag him last offseason, this departure would have come sooner.

Should Welker leave Foxboro, the Pats are believed to go after former Ram, Danny Amendola and perhaps Victor Cruz.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the afternoon.

Follow me on Twitter @RealAndyLarmand.