Welker, Pats far apart on extension -- Sun Jul 8 5:20 pm --
Sides are reportedly $6 M apart in guaranteed money | The Patriots and Wes Welker have until July 16 to complete a contract extension or Welker has to play out the 2012 season under the franchise tag for $9.515 million. Owner Robert Kraft said both sides want to complete a deal, but “it requires intelligence” and “what’s going to happen in the next few years with the cap, you have to have a core group of players that you can plan around as the foundation of your team.” Basically, the Patriots want Welker to take a bit of a discount to stay with Tom Brady. Welker 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. (Boston Globe)
FF Today's Take: Welker led the league with 122 receptions and was second to Calvin Johnson of the Lions with 1,569 yards. Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots do not have a history of paying their extending their older skill position players (Brady being an obvious exception), so this could get interesting. If a deal can't get done by the end of the week, look for Welker to leave after the year.
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