DocHoliday

If the Patriots pay Wes Welker $10 million dollars a year, there is virtually no chance at getting an outside free agent.

...Which I prefer anyway, as this team needs a draft pick to come in and be that deep threat. I don't want Bowe, Jennings, or any other clown.

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Elijah T.

Wes Welker is a great player.

I hope we can keep him, but I believe his production can be replaced by our tight ends and Julian Edelman if the team moves forward without him. Good teams can defend this offense with Wes Welker as our primary target.

The offense needs a small tweak again this offseason. BB needs to decide what he wants to commit to the running game with Ridley & Vereen in 2013. Does he sign a veteran who he can trust to handle 15-20 touches between the tackles (Steven Jackson) or is he going to trust one of the two we have? There's been too much inconsistency in the running game since Dillon left, and I think it's a lack of trust by the coaching staff. We only run to close out games or against light sub packages. We rarely stick to the run game against a standard "heavy 7" like we did with Dillon and even A. Smith

And there's a lot to be said about what size, strength and physicality can bring to a passing game...This team desperately needs that outside the numbers.

I want Welker back, but not as a primary target, nor as a $10 mill per year investment.

Uncle Meat

Do you people realize how LITTLE the Patriots have paid Welker for the type of production he's put up for YEARS? It's really quite embarrassing.

In 2007, the Patriots signed Welker to a 5-year $18.1 million contract...that's $3.62 million a year for 5 years. During that time, the only season he didn't have WELL over 100 receptions was in 2010, the year after he tore his MCL and ACL in week 17. He STILL had 86 catches in 2010.

During this 5-year stretch, Wes Welker has had the MOST receptions and the 4th most yards of any receiver in the NFL. Again, he's making $3.62 million a year during this 5-YEAR stretch. Are you kidding me? It's true. They could have rewarded him for all the value he brought beyond his contract but they didn't.

Then the Patriots FINALLY showed him the money he deserved (for a long time) last year...but they didn't give him a contract...they franchised him only for one year. What if he had a career-ending injury this year?

If I'm Wes Welker, I'm chasing the money at this point in my career. The Patriots simply have not done right by him FOR SIX YEARS, basically. Now you see a whole bunch of Patriot fans wanting to low-ball him again, after he has not been payed his due EVER? I don't think so.

If nothing else, the Patriots owe it to him for what he has ALREADY done and not be compensated for.

Also, Welker never complained about any of this.

As far as I can see, Welker has already been had at an unreal discount, and he shouldn't settle for another one. Pay him what he deserves FINALLY, or he should go elsewhere.

Sciz

If there weren't a salary cap, then sure. He has definitely outplayed his past contract. But that's not how things work. Every dollar you use to overpay Welker based on past production rather than future expectations in one less dollar to use to convince a fourth year player to stick around through his prime. From this point onward, the Pats need to spend their cap money how they think it best helps the team. Using that money to overpay Welker because they didn't pay him enough early in his career is not how they do that.

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MoneyFX

I don't mind if Welker comes back, but he cannot be the #1 option in this offense. He needs a guy like Moss that can provide a big play, draw double teams, and catch while covered. Even better if they can get a big receiver over 6 feet in height and a speedy receiver. I don't mind Welker going if they can get some depth and size/speed at the position and if they can resign Talib too.

Losing a 100 catch a year player in Welker would be tough, but if it means getting back a few receivers that can stretch the field, I'm all for it.

Sciz

What's wrong with Gronk or Hernandez as the #1 option?

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ATippett56

Patriots now offering Welker less than they offered last year | ProFootballTalk

I would not be surprised whatsoever if the New England Patriots come back with the same offer once again.

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hovis

Wes ain't stupid, he won't sign a contract for funny money, especially after last year's negotiations. In my opinion, you'd have to guarantee most of his contract. Plus, the Pats will get outbid if they take that tactic.

DocHoliday

8 + 8 doesn't seem too bad if it's completely guaranteed.

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Deus Irae

There's a fair number somewhere between $8 million and $11.5 million for Welker. By lengthening the deal, but keeping the guaranteed money only for years 1-2 (or at least mostly for years 102), the Patriots would get a hedge against decline, while Welker would still be able to bring in good cash if his performance warrants it, and that should also allow for a number that gets closer and closer to the $8 million number the more the team is willing to offer a bit more 'cheddar' in terms of longer range guarantees.

The problem would potentially be that the Patriots might still be more focused on winning a negotiation than on working out a fair agreement.

As for Wes not being stupid, I agree with you. There are obviously plenty of teams that could use his help, and I expect that several would be quite willing to pay him at least somewhat accordingly.

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