Vince Wilfork - Pro Football Rumors

Pats, Vince Wilfork Agree To New Contract

March 29th, 2014 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

SATURDAY, 12:26pm: NFL Network reporter Albert Breer breaks down Wilfork’s “complicated” contract in a series of tweets. The stout defensive tackle can earn all $8MM next season if he plays at least 70% of snaps, all 16 games, and if the team ranks in the top-10 in scoring defense and advances to the divisional playoffs. Day one of the 2015 League Year will be pivotal for Wilfork, who is due a $4MM roster bonus and $3MM base salary. He has a $5MM base salary in 2016.

THURSDAY, 8:07pm: Ben Volin of the Boston Globe adds two interesting notes in regard to Wilfork (both via Twitter). If Wilfork makes his full $8MM, that means that the Patriots would have ultimately saved about $3.6MM from the original contract. Additionally, there is no guaranteed money for the big man after 2014.

4:59pm: Schefter clarifies (via Twitter) that Wilfork’s new deal is really more like a one-year, $8MM contract, with an option for two additional seasons. It sounds like the contract may include playing-time incentives for 2014, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, who tweets that Wilfork can earn the full $8MM if he’s healthy.

4:34pm: Vince Wilfork will remain a Patriot after all. Despite having reportedly asked for his release earlier in the offseason, Wilfork has reached an agreement with the Pats to extend his contract through the 2016 season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Schefter reports that the two sides extended and restructured Wilfork’s deal, resulting in a three-year pact worth $22.5MM. Wilfork himself had published a tweet a few minutes earlier that suggested he’d be remaining in New England.

Word broke two weeks ago that Wilfork had requested his release after the Patriots approached him about accepting a restructured deal. Although the 32-year-old reportedly cleared out his locker, team owner Robert Kraft expressed optimism this week that some sort of compromise could be reached, and he and coach Bill Belichick worked to mend fences and repair the situation.

Entering the final year of his previous contract, Wilfork had been on the books for a cap hit of $11.6MM in 2014. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the new deal still gives the veteran defensive lineman the right to earn the $8MM he was previously in line for, but presumably the extension reduces his ’14 cap number. Rapoport adds in another tweet that only $3MM of Wilfork’s new contract is guaranteed.

Wilfork, who will be returning from a torn Achilles in 2014, appeared in just four games for the Pats in 2013, but has consistently posted positive grades at defensive tackle for the club in his healthy seasons, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). In 2012, the five-time Pro Bowler recorded three sacks, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries, to go along with 49 tackles.

In his Twitter statement linked above, Wilfork indicated that his goal has always been to retire a Patriot and that this new agreement brings him one step closer to achieving that goal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Contract Notes: Staley, Wilfork, Brad Smith

March 28th, 2014 at 11:06am CST by Luke Adams

A source tells Rand Gatlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) that the 49ers are mulling the possibility of reworking Joe Staley‘s current contract, which he has outplayed. Staley, who will earn a total of $3.4MM in 2014, has a deal that runs through 2017, so he doesn’t have a whole lot of leverage at this point, but Gatlin’s source suggest the Niners recognize they’d be wise to address the situation to avoid having the offensive lineman become disenchanted (Twitter link).

Here’s more on a few other contracts around the league:

Ben Volin and Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe pass along the details of the first year of Vince Wilfork‘s new contract with the Patriots in a pair of Twitter links. According to the Globe duo, the contract includes $2.5MM in signing bonus and base salary money, a $300K weight bonus, a $200K workout bonus, a $500K bonus for spending one game on the 53-man roster, up to $1.4MM in per-game roster bonuses, and additional incentives of about $3MM. In total, by my calculations, the team should create at least $3MM in 2014 cap savings with the move.
The Eagles recently restructured the contract for wide receiver Brad Smith, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. According to Caplan, the agreement reduced Smith’s cap number by $350K, but assured him $450K in guaranteed money.
E.J. Biggers‘ new one-year contract with the Redskins is a minimum salary benefit deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The pact includes a base salary of $730K, a signing bonus of $65K, and a cap hit of $635K.

Patriots Notes: Wilfork, Solder, Britt

March 27th, 2014 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots made news today when they agreed to a new contract with defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. There were rumors that the former Pro Bowler may have been facilitating his exit from New England, but it appears that the 325-pound veteran will be sticking around for at least another season.

A few more notes from New England…

Wilfork could have made more money on the open market but did not want to relocate his family, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Pats have until May 3 to make a decision on tackle Nate Solder and his fifth-year option, and Field Yates of ESPN.com estimates that the option would be worth an estimated $8.6MM. Yates acknowledges that this is a high number, but states that the 25-year-old’s production at such a value position would make the option worth it.
After bringing in receiver Kenny Britt for a visit – and then after owner Robert Kraft‘s subsequent statement that the team would not be signing the player – Steve Buckley of CSNNE.com wonders if there’s a disconnect in the organization. The Patriot’s philosophy of finding value may clash with their desire to add “character guys,” an attribute that has certainly been emphasized after the embarrassment of Alfonzo Dennard and Aaron Hernandez.
After adding Darrelle Revis and holding onto Wilfork, the Pats biggest weakness on their defense is “pass rush, pass rush, pass rush,” says Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).

Pats Rumors: Wilfork, Jones-Drew, Britt

March 25th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been nearly two weeks since it was first reported that Vince Wilfork had requested his release from the Patriots, and Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com now has some details on the conversation that apparently led to that request. According to Curran, the Pats wanted to convert Wilfork’s $7.5MM base salary into a figure that was attainable through playing time incentives.

Because Wilfork missed nearly all of the 2013 season, those incentives would be considered not likely to be earned, which would wipe them from the team’s cap, so it’s easy to see the Pats’ motives. Even though the deal would have included some form of extension, it’s not hard to see why Wilfork would be hesitant — he’s coming off a torn Achilles, so an incentive-laden deal would put a significant amount of pressure on him to stay on the field following a lengthy recovery.

Here’s more on Wilfork and the Pats:

CSNNE’s Curran and ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss each examined recent comments made by Wilfork, owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick, surmising that the Wilfork situation may still be salvageable.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who initially reported that the veteran defensive lineman had asked to be cut, also reports (Twitter links) that there’s “slight optimism” on the Wilfork front. According to Rapoport, there are two parts to mending the fences: Making Wilfork feel wanted, and then working out his contract situation. Kraft has spoken to the 32-year-old, making progress on re-recruitment, but the contract still must be addressed.
The Patriots were one of four teams mentioned as being in the mix for Maurice Jones-Drew yesterday, but a source tells CSNNE’s Curran that the Pats haven’t been in contact with the veteran running back.
Kraft tells Ron Borges of the Boston Herald that the Patriots won’t be signing free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt is believed to still be weighing his options, and John Keim of ESPN.com tweets that the Redskins remain in the mix for him.

AFC East Rumors: Wilfork, Dolphins, Bills

March 24th, 2014 at 2:39pm CST by Luke Adams

We haven’t heard much on the Vince Wilfork front since a report earlier this month suggested the defensive lineman had asked the Patriots to release him. Reporters at the NFL’s owner meetings in Orlando asked Robert Kraft about the situation, and the New England owner expressed optimism that some compromise could be worked out to keep Wilfork in New England, since the veteran is one of Kraft’s “favorite” Pats. Still, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald hears from sources that Wilfork cleaned out his locker around the time he asked for his release, so it doesn’t sound like he expects to return.

Here are a few more notes from around the AFC East:

Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey confirmed today in Orlando that his team still has interest in signing running back Knowshon Moreno, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “Free agency is ongoing, so we have talks,” Hickey said. “We’ll continue to go through [it] and continue dialogue and see where it goes from there.”
Even if the Dolphins don’t reach an agreement with Moreno, the team could add another free agent elsewhere, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who suggests that linebacker may still be an area of focus for the club. Jackson also adds that the Dolphins spoke to Darrelle Revis‘ agent before the cornerback signed with the Patriots. However, Miami was never a serious suitor since Revis wanted to play for a championship contender, and likely wanted more than the Dolphins were willing to pay.
John Kryk of the Toronto Sun spoke to Bills GM Doug Whaley about a number of topics, including the team’s quarterback position. According to Whaley, the Bills never looked into signing Michael Vick or Ryan Fitzpatrick, and consider their QB position “secure.” Whaley added that Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes had been at the top of Buffalo’s list of targets heading into free agency.

Pats Notes: Blount, Ayers, Wilfork, McCourty

March 23rd, 2014 at 8:39am CST by Rory Parks

Even though the Patriots may lose LeGarrette Blount this offseason, Christopher Price of WEEI.com notes that the team is still ahead of the game with its stable of running backs and the complementary skill-sets those backs possess. Although Price notes that Maurice Jones-Drew and Knowshon Moreno are still available, he believes that if the Pats want to replace Blount, they are more likely to do so with a big-bodied back in the middle rounds of the draft.

Now for some more Patriots notes:

As far as the team’s need for a pass-rusher is concerned, although Andre Carter may want to come back to New England, it is unclear if the feeling is mutual. Given Carter’s age (he will turn 35 in May) and Jared Allen‘s price tag, both Price and Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald believe that Robert Ayers is a more realistic option to bolster the team’s pass rush and provide some support to the revamped secondary. Guregian notes that Shaun Phillips might also be a potential fit.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com notes that there is a belief that, the longer Vince Wilfork remains under contract, the greater the possibility that the two sides will work something out. Wilfork, of course, requested his release from the team a little more than a week ago, but the Patriots have not obliged just yet. For his part, Reiss believes every option is still on the table as far as Wilfork is concerned, and he is intrigued to see what owner Robert Kraft has to say about the situation when he speaks with reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Orlando over the next several days.
Considering the big-money deal that Jairus Byrd recently landed with New Orleans and Earl Thomas‘ impending free agency, Reiss believes the Patriots will approach Devin McCourty with a lucrative contract extension before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
Reiss also expresses surprise that free agent guard Ryan Wendell, who started every game for New England in each of the past two seasons, has not garnered more interest on the open market.

AFC West Notes: LBs, Watson, Wilfork, Chiefs

March 16th, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

The Broncos have responded to their Super Bowl loss by attempting to win the offseason Super Bowl, signing DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and (controversially) Emmanuel Sanders. However, they still have a gaping hole at middle linebacker, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The Broncos missed out on D’Qwell Jackson and also had interest in Karlos Dansby, Jon Beason, Perry Riley and Daryl Smith before those players signed elsewhere.

If the season started today, the talented but oft-injured Nate Irving and the unproven Steven Johnson would be battling for the “Mike” linebacker position. As a result, Klis writes, the Broncos will be forced to compile a “Plan B” list of free agent linebackers and/or find a gem in the draft. Klis suggests Michigan State’s Max Bullough would be an intriguing option in the third round.

Vince Wilfork Asks Pats To Release Him

March 13th, 2014 at 1:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Longtime Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has requested his release, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). While no further details have surfaced yet, it had been expected that the club and Wilfork would have to restructure the veteran’s contract at some point in the near future if he was to remain in New England.

Entering the final year of his contract, Wilfork had been on the books for a cap hit of $11.6MM in 2014. With $3.6MM of dead money included in that amount, the Pats would create $8MM in cap savings if they were to release the 32-year-old. According to Rapoport and Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links), there had been no recent talks between the team and Wilfork, and the idea of reworking his contract was a non-starter for the former first-round pick.

Wilfork, who will be returning from a torn Achilles in 2014, appeared in just four games for the Pats in 2013, but has consistently posted positive grades at defensive tackle for the club in his healthy seasons, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). If the five-time Pro Bowler were to hit the open market, he would draw plenty of interest from virtually every team in need of interior defensive line help.

AFC East Notes: Revis, Smith, Starks

March 12th, 2014 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

News broke earlier tonight that Darrelle Revis will be joining the Patriots, and Albert Breer of NFL.com has a couple of interesting notes on the big move. According to Breer, nothing prevents the Patriots from franchising the corner in 2015 (via Twitter). Revis’ tag for 2015 would be $14.4MM, a 20% raise on his current salary, but that may be moot, since the Patriots hope to lock up the ex-Buccaneer to a long-term deal after a “feeling-out period,” Breer says in another tweet.

More news from around the AFC East…

The Jets never engaged in any substantive conversations on Revis, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. General Manager John Idzik never even got the opportunity to talk to Revis’ camp.
Furthermore, Jets head coach Rex Ryan wanted to “badly” bring back the cornerback, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds that the decision was “over his head.”
Shelley Smith is meeting with the Patriots after he left New York without a deal from the Giants, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Thomas adds that Smith also has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins.
With Revis’ deal taking up $12MM of the Patriots‘ ~$17MM cap space, Vince Wilfork has to restructure his contract or seek employment elsewhere, opines Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).
Specifics for Randy Starks‘ contract from Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter): $2MM signing bonus, $3MM guaranteed base in 2014, $5MM in 2015 with $2MM in incentives. Those incentives kick in if the Dolphins win 10 games and Starks plays 65% of the snaps.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Rumors: Chiefs, Jordan, Raiders

March 12th, 2014 at 5:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs aren’t one of the four teams that have reached out to free agent center Alex Mack, but teams are getting creative with their proposals to the Browns free agent, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Here’s a look at the latest out of the AFC..

Donte Whitner told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that he has encouraged the Browns to look into signing Ted Ginn Jr., who would like to come to Cleveland. The Bucs are hosting the speedy return man today.
The Patriots and Vince Wilfork have discussed an extension this offseason, but an agreement isn’t close, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Talks aren’t active at the moment, but could pick up again as the Pats need additional room (link). Adrian Wilson could also potentially be cut for cap savings.
Linebacker Dekoda Watson says he had interest from nine-ten other teams before he signed with the Jaguars, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com. The Bills, Patriots, 49ers, and Browns were among the interested clubs.
Chiefs free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan is scheduled to visit the Titans on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). We heard earlier this week that Jordan has interest from half a dozen teams.
The Falcons and Raiders had interest in Linval Joseph before he signed with the Vikings, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN. Ultimately, neither club came close to Minnesota’s offer.
Chris Clemons‘ first visit will be to the Jaguars, tweets Terry Blount of ESPN. The Seahawks recently released the veteran defensive end.