Wes Welker Will Test Free Agency
Published at(NEW YORK) — New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker plans on testing the free agent market before re-signing with the Patriots, reports ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The 31-year-old finished with a team-high 118 catches and 1,354 yards, along with six touchdowns in 2012, but the Patriots did not opt to put the franchise tag on him. So instead, Welker will be able to test the market come Tuesday.
If New England had used the franchise tag on Welker, he would have been entitled to a 20 percent raise from his 2012 salary of $9.5 million ($11.4 million in 2013).
The Patriots were hoping to sign Welker to a new deal before Tuesday.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio