The Patriots decided to release offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer on Thursday, and that could go down as a career-ending move for the soon-to-be 33-year-old. The newly unemployed Vollmer is mulling retirement because of lingering hip pain, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (link via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com).
Vollmer’s hip issues cost him a chance at an extension with the Patriots last offseason and then forced him to sit out all of the Super Bowl champions’ games in 2016. Before the career-threatening injury arose, the 2009 second-round pick amassed 88 appearances and 80 starts during his first seven seasons. In his latest action, 2015, Vollmer’s performance ranked 42nd among Pro Football Focus’ 77 qualified tackles. That represented a step back for Vollmer, who consistently finished as one of PFF’s top 30 tackles in previous seasons.
If Vollmer decides he’s healthy enough to continue his career, he could score a contract as one of the most established bookends available on the open market. PFR’s Zach Links places him eighth in this year’s free agent tackle class.