Wes Welker Will Likely Skip Mandatory Workouts As Contact Negotiations Continue
Wes Welker and the New England Patriots are currently trying to work out a long-term contract. In the mean time, the star receiver will likely sit out of the mandatory workouts, saying that it’s his only piece of leverage.
Welker was tagged the franchise player last month by the Patriots but hasn’t agreed to a contract yet. Welker said that he’s hoping to sign a long-term deal soon so that he can get back to work with his team.
“Through my body of work, through the past five years, I think what I’ve done I’ve earned a long-term deal. It’s what I am looking for and what I want. Hopefully that’s the case and hopefully we come to something where we can make that happen.”
ESPN reports that Welker did not participate in the Patriots’ voluntary workout program which started last week. Welker may also decide to sit out of the mandatory workouts that start on June 12th.
“I’m not 100 percent sure on that. I don’t know if I will or not. I’m thinking I’m probably not going to (attend mandatory workouts), but things could change. We’ll just see how it all plays out.”
Welker said that the 2012 NFL draft is probably holding up his contract negotiations. The received said that Coach Bill Belichick is currently in “draft mode” and hopefully they’ll be able to sit down after this weekend to work something out. Welker said:
“I’m sure with the draft and everything else, there’s a lot of other things that kind of take place… And you know how coach Belichick works … right now he’s in draft mode. And I’m sure after the draft, you know, hopefully we’re able to come together and hopefully figure something out.”
Welker said that he was confident that he would sign a contract with the Patriots in the near future. Welker said:
“Obviously I want to stay in New England, that’s objective No. 1… Hopefully we can make that happen. Really that’s all I look toward. I don’t see it going any other way, but it is still part of the business and some of the things we have to figure out.”
