The Facts:
The Patriots want Welker, their franchise free agent, to take a bit of a discount to stay with Tom Brady. Welker, meanwhile, wants a deal that guarantees him just below the $21 million he would get paid playing two years under the franchise tag. You’re talking about a distance in the range of around $6 million in guaranteed money.
Reported by the Boston Globe
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The Patriots and the receiver have until 4 p.m. July 16 to complete a contract extension or Welker has to play out the 2012 season under the franchise tag for $9.515 million. His contract can’t be extended until after the last regular-season game. As Globe staffer Greg Bedard suggests, if the Patriots feel he will repeat his high-end production of a year ago or close to it, are the they prepared to let him walk, perhaps to a team like the Jets, and go forward with some assortment of Brandon Lloyd, Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney, and Donte’ Stallworth? If they are, then let Welker play out the tag and bid him adieu. He’s not going to sign a team-friendly deal after another standout season. So as Bedard summed up, "The Patriots will be debating this week what kind of season Welker will have. Their answer determines their path. ..." Stay tuned.
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