The saga continues.
Wes Welker's agent has changed his tune.
After previously claiming that the Patriots never made a contract offer to Wes Welker dating back to 2010, Welker's agent, David Dunn, recanted in a statement sent to NFL.com.
In fact, there was one "take it or leave it" offer, which Dunn and Welker chose to leave behind after the Patriots played hardball.
"Specifically, both sides are clear that the Patriots made one offer to Wes Welker since the prior negotiations ended in July 2012," Dunn's agency wrote. "Both sides also agree that this two-year offer came just hours before the start of free agency despite discussions that began at the NFL combine. Moreover, this lone offer was presented as a 'take it or leave it offer.'
"When we asked if there was room for structural changes, we were told no. We made a counter offer for the same term and same maximum dollar amount as their offer and it was rejected. We inquired if any of the offer's components were negotiable and were told no. This refusal to actually negotiate made it easy to reject the Patriots offer. Nevertheless, when we received the Denver Broncos' offer, Wes personally talked to Mr. Kraft to give the Patriots the opportunity to match it. The Patriots rejected this opportunity and Wes signed with the Denver Broncos."
New England's offer was for two-year and $10 million, with incentives worth up to an addition $6 million. Welker ultimately accepted a two-year, $12 million offer from the Broncos.
When asked to comment on Welker's situation during the annual NFL meeting in Arizona, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said that Kraft covered the situation when stating that Welker was their primary target entering free agency.
"I think Wes was everything we hoped we would be when we traded for him (in 2007)," Belichick said. "He was tough, competitive and very productive. I think what Robert (Kraft) said yesterday covered it pretty thoroughly. I don't have anything to add to that."