Report: Patriots, Welker close to deal
The New England Patriots and wide receiver Wes Welker are reportedly working hard towards a new contract, according to the Boston Globe.
The Patriots placed the franchise tag, which pays roughly $9.5 million for the upcoming season, on Welker. In May, Welker signed the one-year deal so that he could participate in mini-camp, but he expressed his desire to sign a new multi-year contract.
The Patriots have until July 16th to sign Welker to a new deal, or he will be under the franchise tag for the 2012 season and the Patriots cannot discuss a new contract with him until the end of the season.
The two sides are reportedly standing apart on the amount of guaranteed money in the contract, as well as how the third year of the contract will be structured.
Welker has finished in the top 10 in receptions in each of his five seasons with the Patriots, including three of those five seasons as the league leader in receptions.
