New England Patriots star Vince Wilfork has asked for a release from the team after they asked him to re-do his contract and if he gets released, the Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys all could be options for him, while BJ Raji is on the market and he could be in the mix with Jared Allen to the Houston Texans or NY Giants.
ESPN.com reported the news about Wilfork and this comes after 10 years with the team and multiple Pro Bowls and stems from them asking him to take a pay cut and to re-work his contract. The Patriots just signed Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner and now Wilfork could be on his way out after he was injured last season and played in four games while making nine tackles and now he could be moving on after being a first round pick a decade ago and he is now 32 years old and one of the best defensive tackles in the game.
Wilfork has championship experience and is one of the top players at his position and teams in need of someone up front who can stop the run will be the main targets for the star. The Washington Redskins had trouble last season topping the run and they could be in the mix, while ESPN.com identified the Texans as a possible option as well. Wilfork costs $7.5 million on his salary and $11.6 million against the cap next season and that is the main issue and he could feel a bit offended after the Pats paid $12 million for Revis next season.
Wilfork has been healthy his entire career apart from the injury last season and that would make him a prime option on the market if he is eventually released. ESPN.com writes that the Texans could be a fit after Wilfork had his Achilles injury last season, as Romeo Crennel is now running the defense and he used to be with the Pats when Wilfork was there. Raji and Wilfork could be targets for the Texans defense, which took a step back last season as the team went 2-14 and now they have the number one pick.
The Redskins have made a number of moves this offseason and they already signed Jason Hatcher as well as Tracy Porter and now they could go after Wilfork if he is released, along with Raji and Jared Allen as well. The team is keeping linebacker Brian Orakpo and now they have the chance to shore up their defense up front. The Redskins signed Hatcher to a four-year, $27.5 million contract and while his age and cap hit could be an issue going forward, the team was impressed by his season last year when he had 11 sacks and now he could add to the pass rush for the Skins.
The Redskins allowed over 110 yards per game on the ground last season and adding either Wilfork or Raji would upgrade the front line of the defense right away. Wilfork may not cost as much as he normally would since he is coming off of an injury and that could be a big boost for Washington ort another team that signed him.
