According to Field Yates of ESPN Boston, the Patriots could use the recent contract extension that the Ravens signed OLB Terrell Suggs to as a model for veteran DT Vince Wilfork.
Yates writes that an extension for Wilfork “seems like a plausible course of action for the Patriots as they continue to evaluate their offseason finances.”
This idea has come up a few times in recent months as it would allow the Patriots to reduce Wilfork’s current $11.6 million cap figure for the 2014 season while keeping him under contract for at least a few more years.
Suggs received a five-year deal worth a reported $28.5 million and includes $16 million guaranteed. However, the Ravens will be paying Suggs all of the guaranteed money in the first two years, which will gives them the opportunity to reevaluate the situation in 2016.
Wilfork, 32, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this year, so that will be a concern for him moving forward.
As things stand right now, there isn’t an adequate replacement for Wilfork currently on the Patriots roster, but that could obviously change after the draft. Still, an extension would buy them some time to get a long-term replacement in place while maintaining some consistency upfront.
I’m sure we’ll be hearing more regarding a possible extension for Wilfork in the coming months.
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