INDIANAPOLIS - Echoing reporting done here in New England over the past few months, a story emerged Saturday saying Wes Welker will likely be franchised by the Patriots if the team doesn't reach agreement on a long-term extension before March 5. Adam Schefter at ESPN wrote that the Pats "are likely to place their franchise tag on wide receiver Wes Welker, according to a league source. The two sides have been discussing a new deal, but if one cannot be reached, New England plans to use the 9.5 million franchise wide receiver tag."Nothing about this report stands out from what we've turned up over the past few months.
Welker's agent, David Dunn, makes the case the 30-year-old slot receiver's production puts him in line to receive a new deal that will put him among the highest-paid wideouts in the league. The Patriots have made offers that Dunn and Welker haven't yet agreed to. New England values and respects Welker a great deal, however, and - if an accord isn't reached before the March 5 franchise window closes - the team knows it has the franchise tag at its disposal to prevent them from losing Welker without compensation. The Patriots and Dunn can continue working toward a new deal for Welker after the tag is applied.
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