Contract Extension Could Be Coming For Patriots DT Vince Wilfork

Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes that it would make sense for the Patriots to approach DT Vince Wilfork regarding a contract extension at some point in the near future.

There has been some speculation in recent months that Wilfork could be a possible cap casualty given that he will count $11.5 million against the team’s 2014 salary cap and is coming off of a season-ending Achilles injury.

However, Reiss thinks that this idea is a little over blown and believes Wilfork could end up being worth that kind of cap hit next season. According to Reiss, a “two- or three-year extension that is drawn up in a way that guarantees Wilfork his $7.5 million in addition to some future financial upside” would not only provide some much needed cap relief, but also ensure that he could finish out his career in New England.

There is no question that the Patriots defense missed Wilfork after he went down with the Achilles injury. As things stand right now, there isn’t an adequate replacement on their roster and targeting someone in free agency would prove to be just as expensive, so there is plenty of logic behind the team discussing a reasonable extension with Wilfork in the coming weeks.

Other Patriots Notes: 

• Reiss writes that recently release CB Asante Samuel is unlikely to return to New England.
• Reiss doesn’t see a sizable contract having a negative impact on WR Julian Edelman‘s approach to the game.