New England wide receiver Wes Welker made it clear he's focused solely on the Super Bowl.
But entering the final game of his contract with the Patriots, Welker also acknowledges he doesn't have any plans for playing with another team.
"I plan on being back," Welker said Sunday after arriving in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants. "I am not really too worried about that right now. I am fully concentrated on this game and what we have to do, but I plan on being back."
Welker, who had a league-leading 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season, has been an instrumental part of the Patriots offense since joining the team in 2007. Welker is expected to receive a substantial raise over his expiring five-year, $18 million contract. The possibility exists the Patriots could use the franchise tag on Welker if a long-term deal can't be reached, ensuring his return for at least one more season.
Either way, Welker is in no mood to discuss any of it now.
"This is all stuff that we can address at another point," Welker said. "It can be a story after the season is over, but right now, we are just concentrating on this game and what we have to do to win this game. If you win this game, all of that other stuff takes care of itself."
Owner Robert Kraft weighed in on Welker's impending free-agent status last week.
"I think Wes wants to be here and we want him here," Kraft said. "Hopefully when the season ends, both sides will be wise enough to consummate something. He's pretty special. Any time there's a player on this team I can look eye to eye and be at the same level, he's an important guy."
