In a not entirely unexpected move the Patriots cut ties with DL Vince Wilfork, by informing the 11-year veteran that they won’t be picking up their option, making Wilfork a free agent on March 10.
Wilfork 33, was due a $4.5 million dollar roster bonus on March 10 and would have counted more than $8.9 million dollars against the salary cap in 2015.
Wilfork reached out to fans on Twitter early this morning releasing this statement:
“I won a Super Bowl in my rookie year, and I won one this year!!” he wrote. He put in his statement that he was blessed with the love of his life and three healthy, beautiful children.
Wilfork ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2013 and returned to play very solidly, especially down the stretch in 2014 and into the playoffs. Constantly double-teamed and eating up gaps in the running game, he fulfilled a valuable role for 11 tough years.
In his statement, Wilfork made it clear that he still believes that he has some tread left on his tires, "Can I still play football? Hell yea! Do I still love football? Hell yea!" he wrote. "One major injury; lots of gas still left in the tank,” he wrote.
While it is doubtful, the Patriots could bring him back at a reduced rate for perhaps a final NFL season. But if he plays in the league in 2015 it will probably be in another NFL uniform.
Always a crowd favorite; Wilfork was always accountable and accessible win or lose and was a pillar in the community and the locker room. He will be missed.
Wilfork’s final comment was that: “regardless, remember, I will always remain a New Englander, a Patriot forever."
Now the question is for the team, who do they replace him with? Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano and Dominique Easley are currently on the roster. Alan Branch is a free agent. They’ll have to bring in a player or two either via the draft or free agency. But if the season began today, Easley and Siliga would be the projected starters.
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