Report: Patriots won't put franchise tag on Welker

The New England Patriots will not put the franchise tag on wide receiver Wes Welker, the Boston Herald reported.

Welker agreed to a one-year, $9.515 million tender last spring, and is about to become a free agent if he is not re-signed.

Based on information from a source close to the situation, the Herald reported the Patriots won't put an $11.4 million franchise tag on Welker this time. In addition, they won't make him an offer better than the guaranteed two-year, $16 million deal he turned down in 2011.

As a result, there's no guarantee that Welker, who turns 32 in May, will return to the Patriots next season despite having 118 receptions for 1,354 yards in 2012.