New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wants WR Wes Welker to stay for life - NFL News
According to recent reports, New England Patriots wide receiver, Wes Welker, had angered the franchise with his public comments over the contract negotiations.
Welker said that after he signed his franchise tender with the Patriots to take part in the team’s Organised Team Activities (OTAs) negotiations took a turn for the worst and became much tougher than before.
Those comments resulted in news that the Patriots were unhappy with Welker’s public statements which forced the wide receiver to apologise for what he called using the wrong words.
However, franchise owner, Robert Kraft is not too concerned with what Welker said and in an interview with the NFL Network on Tuesday praised the wide receiver and said he would like to see him remain a Patriot for life.
"Well we'd like to see him be a Patriot for life but it takes two sides,"
Adding further he said.
"We're just happy he’s back in the system. He’s a wonderful young man, and a special guy. I think both sides would like to do a deal, but it requires intelligence and putting our team first."
Negotiations on a new long term deal between the two sides continue to remain stalled as disagreements over salary are believed to be the major bottleneck to agreement on a new deal.
Welker has till July 16th to work out a new deal with the Patriots failing which he will earn almost $ 9.5 million on his one-year tender.
Kraft also said during the interview.
"Anyone can say whatever they want. He’s done a great job for us, we’re always trying to do whatever we can do to put our team in the best position to win, that means balancing a lot of things, understanding what the cap is, what the cap growth is, how things
fit in the system and we try to have values for every position and every player,"
Last season saw some amazing performances from the wide receiver as he made the highest overall receptions in the league with 122 for a gain of 1,569 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
It seems likely that Welker will play this year on the tag with the Patriots and move on to another team after the season.
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