The San Francisco 49ers are set to name Wes Welker their wide receivers coach. Welker spent the past two seasons as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans and interviewed with the 49ers a week ago Monday.
Beat writer John McClain had the first report that Welker was leaving for the 49ers, and Matt Barrows followed up to confirm it would be as wide receivers coach. The team has yet to announce the hiring.
Welker was a plenty talented receiver, and it will be fascinating to see what he can do with the 49ers receiving corps. As Kevin Jones noted, the team has a host of shifty receivers that could benefit from someone like Welker. It remains to be seen how he will operate as a coach, but if he is a good coach, that bodes well for Dante Pettis, Trent Taylor, Marquise Goodwin, and others.
When the 49ers announce the Welker hiring, it is a safe bet they will also announce a new job title for Mike LaFleur. He has served as the 49ers wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. The team is expected to hire Shane Day as quarterbacks coach, so I am not quite sure what the plan is for LaFleur. Maybe an assistant head coach/offense type of title makes sense.