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Drew Brees and Matt Forte aren’t the only franchise players who are no closer to signing a contract.

Tom Curran of CSNNE.com reports that the Pats and receiver Wes Welker have made no progress toward a new deal.

Welker, who could sign a one-year, $9.5 million contract at any time, wants a long-term deal. The Pats would surely be willing to give him one, but the two sides need to find a common ground.

The challenge for the Pats is to gauge the value of a five-foot, nine-inch slot receiver who turns 31 next month. Though Welker has churned up plenty of stats over the last five years, he’s not as indispensable as a young, tall, fast guy who commands double coverage and still catches the ball when confronting it.

Curran also points out that reality that guys like Welker and Brees and Forte won’t be “holding out” of voluntary workouts because they aren’t under contract. Even if they were, they’re not required to show up for voluntary workouts. I said something similar earlier today on PFT Live, and there’s really not better spot than right here to drop the special code that puts a small TV screen in your browser.