Wes Welker announced on Twitter that he would be back with the New England Patriots in 2012.
New England Patriots’ wide receiver Wes Welker decided to sign his franchise tender and he will take part in the OTA’s and full-team minicamp in June. Welker announced via Twitter that he was taking a “#leapoffaith.”
Welker changed his stance to hold out for a long-term contract in April when he said on WEEI’s Mut & Merloni show on Monday he “has nine and a half million reasons” to play. Last month, Welker was talking about using his leverage to skip team offseason workouts, including the minicamp in hopes of receiving an extension.
The Patriots had placed the franchise tag on Welker where Welker would play on a 1-year deal for $9.5 million in 2012. Welker has 554 receptions in his five seasons with the Patriots and he has become one of the best slot receivers in the game.
In 2011, Welker hauled in 122 passes for 1569 yards and nine touchdowns. After the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York Giants, Welker was heavily criticized by many fans for not coming up with a catch with about four minutes remaining the Patriots held a 17-15 lead.
With Welker, 31 years old, in the fold, this could mean the Patriots either work out a contract for the next couple of seasons or they can franchise Welker in 2013 at nearly $11.4 million. If Welker suffers a debilitating injury like in the 2009 regular season finale in Houston when Welker tore his ACL, this could hurt his free agency status next March. The Patriots are set financially when they reworked Tom Brady’s pact this offseason and with left tackle Matt Light’s retirement.
The Patriots and Welker have until June 15th to come to terms on an extension.
Welker’s commitment to the organization has never wavered. When Welker did tear his knee, he came back in 2010 in August without missing a game. While Welker did not have the same explosiveness inside, he ended the year with 86 receptions and he helped the Patriots’ offense record record-setting numbers after the Patriots had traded their top outside threat in Randy Moss during the season.
The Patriots are loaded at the wideout position. They currently have a dozen receivers on their roster with a mix of veterans and youth. The group includes Deion Branch, Brandon Lloyd, Chad Ochocinco, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Gonzalez Julian Edelman, and seventh-round pick Jeremy Ebert.