Vince Wilfork is looking for a release from the New England Patriots after the team asked him to restructure his contract and now the defensive tackle could hit the free agent market and teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, NY Giants, Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons could be options.
The news was reported by the NFL Network and ESPN.com cited sources that said the Patriots had asked Wilfork to change up his deal heading into next season, which will pay him $7.5 million and costs $11.6 million on the salary cap. According to ESPN.com, the contract situation involving Wilfork has been an issue with the Patriots over the past few weeks and now things are starting to take shape after the team signed Darrelle Revis to a one year deal worth $12 million and that could be a factor as well.
Wilfork was injured last season in week four and he finished with just nine tackles and now he is asking for a release from the team where he has spent the past decade. Wilfork was on a five-year, $40 million deal that he signed back in 2009 and releasing him will give the Patriots $7.5 million of cap space and they could use that to sign Julian Edelman. Wilfork is 32-years-old and is coming off of a serious injury and that is where the Patriots are coming from while asking him to change up his deal. Wilfork played in only four games before tearing his Achilles and he has been to the Pro Bowl five times and he would be a major target on the market,
The Giants lost Linval Joseph to the Minnesota Vikings and Wilfork could be an option after the team lost Justin Tuck on the outside as well, while the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are also looking to shore up their defensive fronts. Edelman is visiting with the 49ers and he has also been rumored to be a target for the Browns and the Patriots hope to keep him heading into next season after he made over 100 receptions for more than 1,000 yards to set career highs. The Patriots have also met with Jason Avant and Brandon LaFell as free agents and they could be options along with James Jones if Edelman leaves.
The team signed Darrelle Revis after he was released by the Buccaneers and now they could be looking to sign Brandon Browner to shore up a secondary that has been shaky at times. Browner is a free agent for now and he could be signed soon.