The New England Patriots may have a better option than the franchise tag to prevent wide receiver Wes Welker from becoming a free agent. NFL.com reports the team still is considering the possibility of locking Welker up with a long-term contract extension before he hits the open market March 12. The question is whether security over multiple years would be appealing to the 31-year-old Welker at the expense of less money in the short term. The Patriots paid him $9.5 last season when he was their franchise player, but tagging him again would cost more than $10 million. If New England gives him a two- to five-year deal, it likely would average in the $8 million per year range. Source: Sporting News
