Wes Welker And The Patriots Can’t Agree To Multi-Year Contract Before Deadline

Adam Schefter of ESPN later reported that the deal was worth $12 million.

Denver boasted the league’s fifth-best passing attack in 2012, averaging 283.4 yards-per-game in Manning’s first year with the Broncos. The Broncos struggled out of the gate, starting 2-3, but then rattled off 11 consecutive wins en route to the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs. Manning finished the season second in MVP voting, throwing for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns, while completing 68.6 percent of his passes, in his first season back after missing 2011 because of neck injuries.

Welker will earn $9.5 million next season under the franchise tender. In 2011, he played under a one-year tender despite an offer for two years, $16 million from the Pats. The organization reportedly offered less during contract negotiations in May.

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The Patriots can apply the franchise tag to Welker again next season if they wish, but they would like to work out a new deal before they get to that point. Welker would like about as much guaranteed money as he would get from having the franchise tag used on him this year and next, so backing out of a deal now and tagging him again next year would be counter-productive for the Patriots.

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In 2011, the Patriots offered Welker a two-year deal worth $16 million, all of it guaranteed. Welker says that the most recent offer from his team is worth less than the 2011 offer.

On Tuesday, Welker signed the Patriots’ franchise tender worth $9.5 million for the 2012 season. He would be eligible for free agency in 2013 if the two sides cannot agree to a new contract.

Welker will be getting a hefty contract from the Patriots so it’s no surprise that it’s taking a while for the deal to get done. The Patriots franchise tagged Welker and have no plans of parting ways with him. Signing the tender secures him the franchise tag number, which is approximately $9.5 million.

Welker ultimately getting a longterm deal from New England seems inevitable. He went on WEEI in Boston earlier this week and said he really wanted to attend the Patriots offseason program.

The Patriots placed the franchise tag on Welker in March. He is expected to earn roughly $9.5 million next season. He doesn’t have the security of a multi-year contract, however. Welker has expressed his desire to stay with the Patriots as long as he can.

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The Patriots can start their offseason program on April 16. The only leverage Welker has right now is to hold out in the hopes that it puts more pressure on the Patriots to do a new deal. In my opinion, holding out wouldn’t be a bad move for him. There’s also the risk of injury before he signs a new deal, which could cost him a lot of money down the line. He’s a veteran and missing a portion of offseason workouts wouldn’t be a major blow to New England’s chances in 2012. The two sides have until July 15 to get a new deal done or else Welker will play the 2012 season under the franchise tag.

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According to Will Brinson of CBS Sports, it is highly unlikely that Welker will hold out for the season. Very good news for Patriots fans and still a chance that the team will be able to sign the receiver to a long-term deal before the year is out.

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Some players plan to stay with their team all along and just need work out a long-term deal. Some, like Welker, also seem to realize that the tag is just a path to getting to that long-term deal and know the chance of playing the season on a one year deal is minimal. By the sounds of Welker’s tweet though, he’s looking to sign a seven-year deal.

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Welker is among the obvious franchise tag guys. He’s an integral part of New England’s highly successful offense and at 30 years old he still has several productive seasons ahead of him. This is an easy decision for New England.

The Patriots will have until July 15 to sign him to a long-term deal and, if they don’t, Welker will have to play the season under the estimated $9.4 million franchise tag number.

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