Wes Welker Fired as Dolphins WRs Coach by Mike McDaniel After Missing NFL Playoffs

The Miami Dolphins have parted ways with wide receivers coach/pass game specialist Wes Welker.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced the move in a statement released Friday. Miami also relieved special teams coordinator Danny Crossman of his duties.

"I am grateful for Danny's contributions and dedication to the Dolphins over the course of many seasons, as well as the numerous ways he helped me as a head coach," McDaniel said.

"I also want to thank Wes for his investment here. This was not a decision I came to lightly, but as I have evaluated the season and areas where we must improve, I believe that change is needed and am motivated to do what is best for the team as we move forward."

The 43-year-old Welker was an NFL wide receiver from 2004-2015, including a three-year stretch from 2004-2006 with the Fins. He served as Miami's wide receivers coach from 2022-2024.

The Dolphins just finished a disappointing season that ended with an 8-9 record, finishing two games outside the playoffs. Miami also finished 22nd in scoring, one year after the team went 11-6 and ended second in points per game.

It's unclear why Welker was fired. The Dolphins' offensive production did go down, but that issue was much bigger than his pay grade. McDaniel was brought into the mix in 2022 as an offensive guru from San Francisco, and he's flanked by offensive coordinator Frank Smith.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also missed four-plus games due to a concussion and two more with a hip injury. The offense flailed with him not in the lineup.

The Dolphins' wideout production did go down year-to-year. Tyreek Hill caught 81 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns one year after posting a 119/1,799/13 performance the year prior. Jaylen Waddle had 58 catches for 744 yards and two scores, one year after a 104/1,014/4 season.

Only four Dolphins players had receiving touchdowns, and two of them weren't wideouts (running back De'Von Achane, tight end Jonnu Smith). Malik Washington was third on the team in wideout production (26 catches, 223 yards). Odell Beckham Jr. was fourth (9 catches, 55 yards), and he didn't finish the year with the team.

Still, Welker shouldn't be out of work for long. He was a tremendous wide receiver, making two first-team All-Pro squads and five Pro Bowls. Welker also had 100 or more catches five times and 1,000 or more receiving yards five times.

He also excelled as the 49ers' wide receivers coach from 2019-2021. Deebo Samuel notably had a career year with 1,770 total yards and four touchdowns in 2021.

So expect Welker to find work in the NFL in short order given his resume and the host of coaching openings out there right now.