Wes Welker's contract

[strngplyr]

Well, we all know that this is a contract year for him and we are now in the Bye-week. What are your predictions on getting this done before the season?

Do you think this gets done now, when the season ends, or does he walk?

Personally I think there is a decent chance it gets done before he plays a snap against the Steelers, the bye is a great time to get this stuff cleaned up.

Opinions?

 

[RJB87]

If it doesn't happen by Sunday it doesn't happen until the end of the season. We aren't much for in season contracts. Especially for a player of Welker's magnitude, this is going to take some serious negotiations.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

My question is, what do you pay him? 5 years, 50 mil, 20 mil guaranteed? Is that too much? Too little?
I think Wes would be more than happy with 10m a year and he surely wants to stay in NE. I just don't know if we can afford it or if we'd pay it.

 

[strngplyr]

Welker is one of the best receivers to ever play for this team, hands down. He also, to me, seems like he's incredibly humble and won't ask for a Larry Fitzgerald type contract. This is a guy who believed he would be a kick and punt returner in the NFL and he now has a chance to beat the GOAT's yardage in a single season.

 

[RIpats88]

My question is, what do you pay him? 5 years, 50 mil, 20 mil guaranteed? Is that too much? Too little?
I think Wes would be more than happy with 10m a year and he surely wants to stay in NE. I just don't know if we can afford it or if we'd pay it.

without welker, where are we right now? Welker is bradys #1 target....you HAVE to pay the man

 

[RJB87]

I think he'll get in the range of 8-11MM per year with at least 4-5 guaranteed. Kraft is good at using bonuses to help reduce the per year salary. I imagine it would be a 4-5 year deal. Welker is a high character guy and money isn't everything to him. I wouldn't be shocked if he took 6-8 a year with a large part of it being guaranteed. The problem is his agent is the one negotiating, not him.

 

[strngplyr]

Agents make too much money for how negatively they impact a TEAM sport.

 

[nabwong]

Moss got what? 3 years 27m? I don't think it will be more than 4 years tbh. I am willing to say 4 years 36m, 26m guaranteed.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If it doesn't happen by Sunday it doesn't happen until the end of the season. We aren't much for in season contracts. Especially for a player of Welker's magnitude, this is going to take some serious negotiations.

It does happen; see Rob Ninkovich and Danny Woodhead, among others.

 

[oldrover]

I believe it will happen... maybe not before the Steelers game... but it will happen. Welker is in tune with Brady the likes of which NO wideout on this team has ever been, including Branch and Troy Brown. How much is that worth to the team? A LOT.

 

[RJB87]

It does happen; see Rob Ninkovich and Danny Woodhead, among others.

Those were small contracts to under-the-radar players who were being paid damn near close to league minimum. There is no negotiating involved there. That's basically Robert Kraft saying, "Hey, you've done a great job. Here's a raise."

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It would behoove both sides to get something done this season. The team for cap purposes and Welker for security. Just depends on who wants to trade off what to achieve those goals. Kraft did say today on his radio appearance that he hopes Welker plays out his career here. Bet Brady does too. So just do it... Otherwise while you will have the franchise tag for leverage so will his agent...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Those were small contracts to under-the-radar players who were being paid damn near close to league minimum. There is no negotiating involved there. That's basically Robert Kraft saying, "Hey, you've done a great job. Here's a raise."

It was a while ago but both Koppen and Light signed multi million dollar multi year extensions in season. As did Woodhead last season albeit for $2M plus another million plus in incentives...

 

[RJB87]

99% of NFL contracts are multi million dollars. lol

 

[BingoBrown]

Anybody know the cost if the Pats franchise tag Welker?

 

[Sparetire]

I dont care when they agree the contract (now or end of season), as long as they get it done and welker is a patriots 4 life. if BB lets WW go, im going to be absolutly pissed and i will never talk to him again!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

This deal involves big bucks, so IMO it won't get done for a while. I see it playing out similar to Wilfork's extension. Franchised and signed for a generous deal, yet probably less than what we'd expect given the market and his high value. Something in the $7-9M per range hopefully around 4 years. Can't imagine us letting him walk

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Anybody know the cost if the Pats franchise tag Welker?

In 2011 it was $11.3M. That said, the franchise tag would be used to buy time.

 

[RJB87]

In 2011 it was $11.3M. That said, the franchise tag would be used to buy time.

That will be even higher now given the Larry Fitzgerald contract.

 

[Yehoodi]

As I have said a handful of times to people on and off of the internet . . . I hope that the pats remember that they went through a similar situation with Branch back in 2006, that is pay the man or let him go . . . I am not going to all Felger on you all and won't say that it was right or wrong not to sign Branch, but I hope the pats remember situation and the after effects . . .to a degree it would of been nice to keep Branch . . .

Also, as Branch is in the locker room he can talk to Welker and let him know what life can be like outside of NE . . . basically say "hey, you can take 9.7mil from team X or get 8.5 here, sure is about 15% more money, but you will not be as happy, beleive me I did it, it may not be for everyone and you may decide to go through with it and leave, but ask yourself a question is the 15% raise worth it?" or something along these lines . . . ture Branch took the cash, and maybe Welker may not listen to him, but Branch can bring a little insight to the situation . . .

I just hope that Pats see what they have in Welker, sure his "value" on the open market will be less that his value to the pats, but I hope this time the pats look to the players value to the pats (chemistry with TB) and not his value on the open market (how well he'll play with Carlson Palmer)

I do think the two parties will do the right thing . . .

otherwise there is always Reche Caldwell . . . :singing:

EDIT: and another thing we always know that Welker is a humble foot soilder, puts his best foot forward and always lands on two feet . . . .