New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker has no plans to re-sign with the team before first testing the free-agent market next week, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Unrestricted free agents can officially sign with other teams starting Tuesday.

Welker, 31, received the Patriots' franchise tag last offseason but New England didn't issue a franchise tender to any player for the 2013 season before this past Monday's deadline.

It was the first time since 2008 that the Patriots opted not to use the tag.