Welker says he was only joking when he said he wanted to "stick it" in Belichick's face

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Wes Welker told reporters he was only joking when he said after Sunday's game that he enjoyed catching 13 passes against the Denver Broncos to "stick it" in coach Bill Belichick's face.

Welker made a rare Monday appearance in the locker room during media availability to straighten things out.

"It was a joke," Welker said. "I don't know what else to say about it."

Welker did not start the season opener after unsuccessful negotiations on a long-term deal, leading to speculation that Belichick was upset with him over the negotiations.

After catching 13 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 victory over the Broncos, he told Comcast SportsNet with a wink, "Yeah it's kind of nice to stick it in Bill's face once in a while."

But he said on Monday that he has a good relationship with Belichick.