"Four months from unrestricted free agency, the Green Bay Packers have decisions to make on only two key players.

One decision seems fairly obvious. Unless the Packers can find a way to bridge their differences with Jermichael Finley, they'll apply the team-favorable 2012 franchise tag for tight ends of about $5.5 million and almost certainly retain his services for at least another year.

According to sources, the Packers aren't any closer in their ongoing talks with center Scott Wells.

At this point, Wells is seeking significantly more money than the Packers want to pay him. There's more than enough time for a compromise to be reached before the March 13 start of the unrestricted signing period. If not, Wells very well might test the market knowing the Packers would want him back.

On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy called Wells the team's best and most consistent offensive lineman this season as well as last season. He probably should have made the Pro Bowl a year ago and would appear to be the odds-on favorite to be the NFC starter this season.

Most teams would prefer a bigger man at center than Wells, but the Packers seem to have gotten past that since trying to replace him with Jason Spitz in 2009.

The issue separating the two sides at this point appears to be longevity. Wells will be 31 in January, an age when some teams would be wary about re-signing a center to a major multiyear contract.

In September, general manager Ted Thompson signed guard Josh Sitton and wide receiver Jordy Nelson to long-term extensions, keeping them from joining the unrestricted pool in March."