Patriots Considering A Long-Term Contract For WR Wes Welker?

According to NFL.com, a long-term contract extension between the Patriots and WR Wes Welker is still a possibility.

Ian Rapoport mentions that a five-year deal that average roughly $8 million per season could be the type of contract that Welker’s able to command on the open market.

Welker, 31, is obviously one of the best available receivers in this year’s free agent class, but it has seemed like a foregone conclusion that he would be playing elsewhere.

In 2012, Welker was clearly their best receiver, so losing him could create a big whole in their passing attack. Thankfully for New England, they have two great tight ends that should mitigate the loss of Welker, but his speed and route-running is clearly something that would be missed.

The Patriots will still have to decide what their plan is for RT Sebastian Vollmer and CB Aqib Talib, but there’s at least a chance that Welker could be back in fold for the coming years.

We have Welker listed as the No. 8 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.