The Facts:
Following up on the
ongoing story. ... There's been no movement toward a new contract between the Patriots and Welker, their franchised wide receiver.
Reported by CSNNE.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The $9.5 million tag has kept Welker off the free-agent market. Welker hasn't yet signed the tendered offer, hence, he is not under contract. That point is important as voluntary offseason workouts and minicamps approach. If Welker doesn't sign the tender, he can't participate because he isn't under contract. If he does sign the tender, the Patriots have no urgency to provide him with the long-term deal he wants. As CSNNE.com's Tom Curran notes, Welker's expressed an interest in staying in New England long-term. The team's been candid about wanting to keep him. When the Patriots announced they were putting the tag on Welker, they stated that, "Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal. ..." At this point, though, no talks and no progress. And Curran believes there likely won't be any until after the NFL Draft, which will be held April 26-28. After that, Welker's contractual satisfaction (and perhaps extensions for Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez) may also come to the fore. The Patriots have until July 15 to work out a new deal with Welker and lift the franchise tag from him for the 2012 season.
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