New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Thursday morning that Wes Welker's free-agent departure to the Denver Broncos did not come as a surprise, as he's played in the NFL long enough to understand the business side of the league. Brady spoke to the "Dennis & Callahan Show on WEEI sports radio in Boston and reflected on Welker's departure.
"I don't think anything surprises me anymore in the NFL," Brady said. "I've been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that's Wes or Randy Moss being traded by the Raiders or Brett Favre and playing for the Jets and Vikings.
"That's what happens. This is a, like I said, it's a very tough, competitive business, and nobody appreciated Wes more than I did and what he was able to accomplish for our team. He's moved on; he's in a good situation with another great team and a great quarterback. We always kind of kept in touch, we always will. He's one of my best friends."
Brady has long been outspoken about his appreciation for his former favorite target, who totaled more receptions than any other player during the past six seasons in the NFL. Although Brady and Welker shared a close connection, the 35-year-old quarterback wouldn't classify his feelings over Welker joining the Broncos as anger or disappointment.
"Of course I have feelings, but those feelings are very personal to me," he said. "I used to get caught up in angry and disappointment, but I don't make the decisions. These things aren't up to me. At some point you've got to realize the things that are out of your control, you've just got to let go, focus on my job and what I need to do. The game moves on, the team moves on, there's only so long you can dwell on the past, and at some point you've got to move forward."
Before the start of free agency, Brady agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2017 that created more than $15 million in cap space during the next two league years. Many speculated that Brady agreed to the contract in order for New England to offer Welker a larger contract.
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