According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, there’s a feeling that this could be the right time for Patriots DL Vince Wilfork to call it a career and retire from the NFL.
New England just won it’s fourth championship this past weekend, so the idea is that Wilfork could go out on top and on his own terms, rather than force the Patriots to make a tough decision regarding one of the best players in the history of the franchise.
Cole mentions that Wilfork really wasn’t all that great for the Patriots this season, and was hardly the type of player he’s been in previous years.
Sources tell Cole that Wilfork’s $8.9 million cap figure will likely be too expensive for the Patriots, which means he could be on the chopping block in the coming weeks.
Wilfork, 33, still has another two years remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract. He stands to make a base salary of $3 million to go along with a roster bonus of $4.5 million that’s due in March.
Last year, Wilfork requested his release from the team, but later worked out an agreement that would keep him in New England.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Wilfork would free up $8,066,666 in cap space for the 2015 season.
In 2014, Wilfork recorded 47 tackles, one interception and two pass defenses over the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 13 defensive end in a 3-4 system this past year, which is a pretty respectable rating.
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