Mike Dussault

I’d be shocked if it was more than four years. Ideally for the Pats I’d bet they’re willing to go three years, four might be stretching it. I’d expect a front-loaded contract with lots of protection against injury and playtime incentives at the end of it.

From a realistic POV I’d expect the Pats to be aiming to give him around $15 million over the next two seasons guaranteed with the rest of the money and years easily dumpable. So even if it’s 4-years, $30 million, a big chunk will vest first, then the rest will require Welker stay healthy and productive.

I agree to an extent, but it’s not like there’s just a line of offensive linemen waiting to hop in and start at right tackle on the roster at the moment. And I never really like say “oh we have great coaching, we can plug anyone in and they’ll be fine.” Vollmer has elite size and despite some injury history he is still in his prime, and is involved in every offensive play, while WRs and CBs are not. 

That said, it wouldn’t be too much to pick up another right tackle in free agency and draft one, but they don’t have a lot of picks this year, so do you want to add another need? And you’d also have to find a new back-up left tackle, so his departure would open up a couple needs, and most people seem to think the best back-up tackle we have (Marcus Cannon) is more suited for guard.

I could see it go either way if someone’s willing to make Vollmer a big offer, the Pats will not overextend themselves for a right tackle. But I think the safest bet is to bring him back and keep Brady’s protection air tight for his twilight years.