The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Welker has no plans to re-sign with team before first testing the free-agent market next week, a league source told ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Unrestricted free agents can officially sign with other teams on March 12.

Diehards Line:Welker, 31, received the Patriots' franchise tag last offseason but New England didn't issue a franchise tender to any player for the 2013 season before Monday's deadline. If the Patriots had used the tag on Welker again this offseason, he would be entitled to a 20 percent raise from his 2012 salary of $9.5 million (paying him $11.4 million in 2013). Welker finished last season with a team-high 118 catches and 1,354 yards to go with six touchdowns and multiple reports prior to today have indicated the two sides expect an agreement. Indeed, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss is still reporting that Welker and the Patriots seem to be more aligned than they were at this point last year in terms of a potential multiyear deal. But this is Welker's first chance to gauge his worth on the open market with no restrictions since joining the Patriots in 2007, before he became the NFL's most productive receiver over a six-year span. That said, Reiss summed up by advising readers: Still, it would be considered a surprise if he is ultimately not back in New England in 2013 and beyond. ..." Stay tuned.