Wes Welker: Contract talks with Pats have gotten worse

[Ron Sellers]

This is somewhat of a surprise; for many (including me) I figured that the signing of the franchise tender was a signal that negotiations were going well.

Wes Welker: Contract talks with Pats have "gotten worse" - BostonHerald.com

“There have been talks, but nothing that’s brightened anything at all,” Welker said. “It’s actually gotten worse.”

When asked to define “worse,” Welker said the offer on the table is less than the two-year, $16 million fully guaranteed contract that was offered to him during the 2011 regular season.

...

Welker acknowledged attempting a harder-line stance last month, openly threatening the possibility of a holdout at mandatory camps, but ultimately decided that wasn’t the right way to go.

“I think those techniques work better with other teams. I think the best thing you can do, as far as the Patriots, is be there and let them make the decision if they want to do something longterm or not,” said Welker, who indicated he planned on being at OTAs late next week. “Obviously, I want to be there. I want to help the team win. I want a championship and all those things. I’m trying to do everything to make that happen, and I’ll let everything else take care of itself.”​

 

[MoLewisrocks]

This was already being discussed at length in the trade Welker thread that oddly finally got moved to the PS suddenly...

 

[TyronePoole]

yeah there were some lengthy, well thought out posts at the end of that thread, maybe a mod could merge them starting with Deus' reporting of this into this thread?

 

[BradyFTW!]

Looks like he's trying to win the PR battle. Guess he didn't get the memo that the Pats don't really care about that stuff. Maybe he should talk to Mankins.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Looks like he's trying to win the PR battle. Guess he didn't get the memo that the Pats don't really care about that stuff. Maybe he should talk to Mankins.

Actually as often as not they do. Brady generally communicates with the FO via the media when his negotiations get tortured...and then things get back on track pronto. I have a feeling Tommy is directing this whole operation because it certainly doesn't seem to be the work of an agent...

 

[JackBauer]

I have a feeling Tommy ...

Are you his grandmother, perchance?

 

[mayoclinic]

I have a feeling Tommy is directing this whole operation because it certainly doesn't seem to be the work of an agent...

Seems more like Giselle's style to me.

 

[Triumph]

8 Mil per is nice, but 2 years kinda sucks for Welker.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

8 Mil per is nice, but 2 years kinda sucks for Welker.

Per Welker it isn't $8 anymore.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Are you his grandmother, perchance?

You and Mayo should try adding something to the discussion beyond snide swipes at posters who do.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Actually as often as not they do. Brady generally communicates with the FO via the media when his negotiations get tortured...and then things get back on track pronto. I have a feeling Tommy is directing this whole operation because it certainly doesn't seem to be the work of an agent...

Are you referring to this?: Growing disconnect in Brady contract talks - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Because the one comment that actually came from Brady in that article was his statement that he would not discuss his contract negotiations with the media.

 

[Deus Irae]

Looks like he's trying to win the PR battle. Guess he didn't get the memo that the Pats don't really care about that stuff. Maybe he should talk to Mankins.

1.) Mankins "won" his negotiation.

2.) Welker isn't following the Mankins playbook.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

If what he's saying is true, giving Welker less than 16m guaranteed is an absolute joke. It sets a bad precedent given the guy's production just last season. If his age is such an issue they should've given him the money a couple years ago. But when you get a bargain like Welker has been and he is still performing like a beast and is the consummate patriot they should take care of him. If they are going to skimp on the years than they should give him more guaranteed money upfront.

This guy will be in the patriot hall of fame one day if he plays here a couple more years. Even if his play drops off some over the next 3 years he will still be the best slot receiver in the game. Welker will post his same league leading reception numbers this coming season barring injury.

Not a fan of the way this is being handled at all, if true.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I don't think they want him beyond this year
... they want to extend Gronk and Hernandez and Vollmer earlier?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't think they want him beyond this year
... they want to extend Gronk and Hernandez and Vollmer earlier?

They can extend them all for a price. One isn't related to the other. They have plenty of cap space going forward. They have plenty this year with Wes hitting the cap at $9.5. They only have 2 WR's signed beyond this season, both are over 30 and one will be 34 this season and as far as we know he can't perform in this offense... Oh, and they have a rookie WR signed for 4 more years if he can make it onto the roster or PS...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Are you referring to this?: Growing disconnect in Brady contract talks - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Because the one comment that actually came from Brady in that article was his statement that he would not discuss his contract negotiations with the media.

No, although Silver has always been tight with the Brady clan. I was referring to Tom Curran's piece literally dicated by the Brady camp back in 2005.

 

[JackBauer]

You and Mayo should try adding something to the discussion beyond snide swipes at posters who do.

Mayo adds plenty to the conversation. It's simply your unbridled arrogance that prevents you from understanding that simply because you have a divergence of views doesn't mean he's not entitled to his opinion or contributing to the discussion.

Might try lightening up a little, while you're at it.

 

[signbabybrady]

Trade him now!

 

[Gronkandez]

1.) Mankins "won" his negotiation.

2.) Welker isn't following the Mankins playbook.

Mankins had to hold out half a year and only got something like $1M in salary. When you factor that into the total deal it's not such a home run.

 

[dhamz]

Mankins had to hold out half a year and only got something like $1M in salary. When you factor that into the total deal it's not such a home run.

Mankins and Welker were not in the same situation. There is a big difference between being a RFA and the franchise tag as far as what you give up in dollars to sit out real games.

Mankins sat out games and passed up very little $ (in NFL terms) in doing so. Welker would be passing up a lot of $ (close to 50% of his total career earnings to date) if he chose to skip games.