Welker signs tender, says it's 'the right thing' to do

BY NICK ST. DENIS

$9.5 million is enough money for Wes Welker.

Welker signed his franchise tender Tuesday, a day after he told WEEI radio that he wouldn't miss any regular season games because of his contract situation.

Welker is slated to make three times his salary from a season ago, so while he certainly wants to know where he'll be past 2012, he wasn't about to pass up that kind of money. In his words, it was the right thing to do.

"I signed my tender today," Welker tweeted. "I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results. #leapoffaith"

While the Patriots' OTAs are scheduled to start next week, Welker isn't required to attend any team activities until the team's mandatory minicamp in June.

The Patriots and Welker have until July 16 to work out a long-term deal.

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