New England wide receiver Wes Welker plans to test the free-agent market next week and has no plans to re-sign with the Patriots before then.
ESPN reported Wednesday that the Patriots and Welker aren’t close to reaching a deal as March 12, the first day for unrestricted free agents to officially sign with other teams, approaches.
The Patriots chose not to place a franchise tag on Welker by the Monday deadline as they did last year. That would have entitled Welker, 31, to a 20 percent raise from the $9.5 million he made in 2012 to $11.4 million in 2013.
The steady Welker led the Patriots with 118 catches last year, becoming the first player in NFL history with five 110-catch seasons, for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns. In his six seasons with New England, Welker has averaged 112 catches per year.