Wes Welker: Contract talks have "gotten worse"

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, who recently signed his one-year franchise tender at $9.5 million, says that negotiations on a contract extension have gotten worse, according to the Boston Herald.

"There have been talks, but nothing that's brightened anything at all," Welker said. "It's actually gotten worse." 

Welker says he reluctantly signed his one-year franchise tender, agreeing to show up for camp, just because that's the kind of guy he is and that's how he does business.

"That's kind of my mindset. To go out and show them I deserve it," Welker said.

When asked what Welker meant about contract talks getting worse he said that the current offer on the table is worse than the two-year, $16 million deal they offered him in 2011.

Welker led the league in receptions in 2011 with 122, and his 1,569 receiving yards was second only to Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.

"The ball's in their court. I just want to play," Welker said. "At the end of the day, if it's one year, $9.5 million, it's one year, $9.5 million. I'm good with that."