The New England Patriots and veteran Vince Wilfork have finally agreed to a restructured contract, which will keep the Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Foxborough and end what appeared to be a two-plus week negotiation mess.
The new deal is of the one-year variety and worth $8 million, with an option for two more years that could level the total amount to $22.5 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Earlier this month, the Patriots approached the 32-year-old Wilfork about a contract extension for financial flexibility. The aftermath included Wilfork demanding his release from the team and him reportedly cleaning out his locker at Gillette Stadium.
Wilfork was previously set to make $7.5 million in 2014, but his $11.4 million cap charge was the major reason for New England’s decision to restructure.
Thursday, Wilfork took to Twitter to announce the current situation with the Pats:
My thoughts pic.twitter.com/MUW3I3ml4Y
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 27, 2014
The Patriots have been very proactive this offseason, and coming into free agency with just over $7 million to work with, getting Wilfork to restructure is economically sound for a team clearly going hard to correct issues from the 2013 season. Wilfork’s deal allows the team to continue pressing on in free agency and gives them more flexibility to sign their draft picks come May.
Wilfork has been with the Patriots since 2004, and remains the only player on the current roster not named Tom Brady to win a Super Bowl with the team. He missed the final fourteen games last season after tearing his Achilles in Week 4.
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