In the fall of 2001, under the searing Texas sun, a scrawny wideout with something to prove lined up for a rep at Texas Tech practice. Across from him stood a freshman quarterback, calm but calculating. The play? A quick slant. The connection? Instant. That quarterback was Kliff Kingsbury. The receiver? Wes Welker. Long before the NFL headlines, Pro Bowl nods, and coaching resumes, they were just two underdogs grinding through college drills, unknowingly laying the foundation for something bigger. Two decades later, their football journeys—shaped by grit, chemistry, and a shared alma mater—have brought them back on the same sideline once again.

It’s not always just about the talent and skills; your old connections can also work wonders in the NFL. We have seen it time and again how coaches prefer assistants with whom they have previously worked. This also happened with the Commanders. In 2024, they hired Adam Peters as their GM and Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator. The results were overwhelming. With the rookie QB Jayden Daniels under center, they reached the NFC Championship with ease. This year, they hired another staff member, Wes Welker.

Welker has been hired as the personal analyst for Kliff Kingsbury and the offensive coaches. Additionally, GM Adam Peters will also use his services, as Welker will also work in the personnel department under the manager. Peters and he go way back as well. Peters was the Patriots‘ scout from 2003 to 2008. He saw Welker first time in 2007 when he joined the Pats as a receiver. In 2013, Welker joined the Broncos and stayed there till 2014. Peters was their scout in 2013 before becoming assistant director of college scouting in 2014. Their fates crossed paths again in 2019, but in a different avatar. Both had progressed in their lives.

While Peters was the vice president of player personnel from 2017 to 2020, Wes Welker arrived in 2019 as the wide receivers coach. Peters later became the assistant general manager in 2021 when Welker left for Dolphins. This year, the Commanders have hired him on the recommendations of GM and OC. Kingsbury wanted someone who could help them.

They share a common relationship that goes decades back. It’s surreal how fate has intertwined their destiny.

Kliff Kingsbury and Wes Welker reunite at the Commanders

It started way back before they even entered the pro league. As mentioned above, Welker and Kingsbury are Texas Tech products, the alma mater of Patrick Mahomes. While Welker studied from 2000 to 2003, Kingsbury also studied there from 1998 to 2002. Additionally, they formed an inseparable bond as Kingsbury played as a quarterback while Welker was a wide receiver.

ESPN’s Peter Schrager also shared an amazing throwback photo from their college days on X. It showed that their camaraderie was strong even then. Back in 2014, when the rumors of Welker retiring from the game were strong, Kingsbury praised the WR for his work ethic. He recalled their initial days together and said, “I couldn’t believe we were offering this guy a scholarship. Then we showed up for the first day of freshman practice and he was the best player out there. By far. No one could touch him.”

Wes Welker finished three seasons, 2007 (112), 2009 (123), and 2011 (122), as the NFL receptions leader. These years cemented his legacy as the Patriots legend. That doesn’t happen without a deep desire to succeed. Kingsbury had then used choice words for the WR and added, “His fearlessness is why he’s where he’s at.” Now, he’s at the Commanders. Their only target is the Super Bowl after their crazy 2024 rise.