FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots have announced that Wes Welker has signed a franchise tender contract.
The team's announcement comes about a week after Welker posted on his Twitter account that he inked the $9.5 million deal that comes with being the team's designated franchise player.
The Patriots also announced the signing of sixth-round draft choice Nate Ebner, a defensive back from Ohio State. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
He led the NFL with 122 receptions and finished second in the NFL in with a franchise-record 1,569 yards receiving in 2011.