Patriots' Welker likely to skip mandatory minicamp
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker told ESPN Tuesday that he didn't think he would attend mandatory minicamp unless progress is made toward a long-term deal.
Welker was tagged as the Patriots' franchise player last month, but hasn't signed his tender or participated in voluntary workouts.
"Through my body of work, through the past five years, I think what I've done I've earned a long-term deal," he told ESPN Boston Radio's Adam Jones. "It's what I am looking for and what I want. Hopefully that's the case and hopefully we come to something where we can make that happen."
Welker, 30, said he hasn't talked with the team about the extension since being designated with the franchise tag.
The mandatory workouts minicamp runs June 12-14.
"I don't know if I will [sit out] or not," he told Jones. "I'm thinking I'm probably not going to (attend mandatory workouts), but things could change. We'll just see how it all plays out."
Welker would earn $9.5 million for 2012 if he signs the tender. As long as he doesn't sign, he isn't under contract and doesn't have to participate in any voluntary or mandatory team events.
Teams have until mid-July to work out a new deal or franchised players will have to either play 2012 under the tag or sit out.
Welker has averaged 111 catches and 1,221 yards per season.
