Wes Welker: Patriots Shouldn't Cave to Star Receiver's Contract Demands

Wes Welker blew it, and the New England Patriots are not at fault. 

The star receiver was offered a two-year, $16 million offer in the middle of the 2011 season, and he turned it down. He wanted a longer deal. Fast-forward six months, and Welker has backed himself into a corner—right where the Pats want him.

On Tuesday, he signed a one-year, $9.5 million franchise tender to ensure that he is going to get paid this year, and there is no doubt he deserves it. But what about a long-term deal?

Welker doesn’t sound very optimistic about the progress that the two sides have made (via the Boston Herald): “There have been talks, but nothing that’s brightened anything at all,” Welker said. “It’s actually gotten worse.”

Clearly, he wants a high-paying, multi-year deal, and the Pats aren't taking the bait. 

Welker is fresh off a season where he caught 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. He led the league in receptions, was second in yards and second in yards per game (98.1).

There is no question that he deserves to be paid as one of the top five players at his position—at least in 2012. But will Welker remain among the league's elite, particularly in light of his Super Bowl performance? Granted, seven catches for 60 yards certainly is nothing to sneeze at, but he had a crucial drop on a potential game-winning drive, and that moment will not be soon forgotten. 

Even if you consider that to be a one-play anomaly, his age certainly is not. Welker just turned 31, and he is quickly approaching the time in a typical receiver’s career when speed starts waning and getting separation becomes more difficult.

Just ask his teammate, Chad Ochocino.

At the age of 31, Ochocinco caught 72 passes for 1,047 yards with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has 1,107 yards in the two years since then, and he is in danger of not even making the Patriots roster this season.

And why is that exactly? Because the Pats are suddenly loaded at the position.

In addition to Welker and Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Gonzalez, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater are all vying for a spot on the roster. 

That’s nine receivers battling for seven spots.

Sure, Welker is the No. 1 guy in 2012, but what happens when Tom Brady develops outstanding chemistry with the underrated Lloyd? What if some of the young guys take the next step forward?

Oh, and by the way, they have not one, but two, of the best tight ends in the game.

The Pats have a ton of offensive weapons, and tossing a huge chunk of guaranteed money at a player that might not keep up his production is not a smart business decision. And nobody knows more about smart business decisions than this franchise.

Credit Welker for signing the tender and refusing to make his contract situation a big deal—he is a true team player who has clearly adopted the “Patriots way.”

Unfortunately for Welker, though, that “Patriots way” also includes few lucrative contracts and a swift kick out the door at the first sign of declining play.

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