Patriots, Welker can't agree on deal New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welke (R) and New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley, during Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 2012. UPI Photo/John Angelillo FOXBOROUGH, Mass., July 16 (UPI) -- New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will play under a one-year deal after he and the team failed Monday to reach a long-term contract. The Pats designated Welker as their franchise player in February, so he will play under a one-year, $9.5 million contract during the upcoming season, The Boston Globe reported. Under NFL rules, the two sides won't be able to negotiate again until after the season. The 31-year-old Welker said in May he had hoped to reach a long-term deal before Monday's deadline, but no agreement materialized. He hauled down 122 passes in 2011, giving him an NFL-best 554 receptions since 2007.