Wes Welker Expects To Re-Sign With Patriots

Wes Welker discussed his future with the New England Patriots at a media event on the campus of IUPUI on Sunday. Welker is in the final year of his contract with the Pats, and after the Super Bowl he will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. Naturally, he was a little skittish about discussing business one week before the Super Bowl. Welker did assure everyone at the meeting that he intends to be playing in New England next season.

"I expect to be back," Welker said. "I'm not too worried about that right now. I'm fully concentrated on this game and what we have to do. This is all stuff we can address at another point and it can be a story when the season's over, but right now we're just concentrating on this game and what we have to do to win this game. We win this game and all the other stuff takes care of itself."

Welker has been a standout in New England, earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod after catching 122 passes for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have never been ones to coddle their stars. See: Randy Moss. Still, Welker has more than proven his worth over his five seasons in New England, and should see a raise on the $2.15 million he will make this season.

For more on the Patriots, head over to the SB Nation blog, Pats Pulpit.