Wes Welker Signs Franchise Tender With Patriots, Two Sides Avoid Potential Holdout

by Mike Cole on Tue, May 15, 2012 at 1:39PM

Wes Welker said Monday that he's got 9.5 million reasons not to miss any games this season. He reaffirmed that in a big way on Tuesday.

Welker has decided to sign his franchise tender with the Patriots, which means he'll earn $9.5 million this season after the Pats placed the franchise tag on him this offseason. The news was first reported by The Boston Globe's Greg Bedard, and Welker confirmed it on Twitter shortly after.

"I signed my tender today," Welker tweeted. "I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results."

There's still a chance the two sides could come to a long-term agreement, but NESN.com's Jeff Howe reported Monday that two sides are not close to coming to terms on a long-term deal.

Welker went on WEEI on Monday and appeared to soften his stance on a potential holdout.

"We're still kind of waiting, but I'd really like to be there,'' Welker said of any urgency in regards to getting things done before minicamp begins. ''I don't know. To say I'm going to one way or another right now, I'm not going to say definite or anything like that. But I would definitely like to be at those minicamps for sure.''

Welker led the league with 122 receptions, and has led the league in three of his five seasons with New England. Welker has 31 touchdowns in those five seasons as well.