After demanding his release and storming out of the locker-room in New England when the Patriots asked to restructure his contract, it looked a though Vince Wilfork’s days with the Patrots were numbered. However, tempers calmed and the two were able to work out an extension. Wilfork was scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2014 and have a cap hit of $11.6 million. That number is an unacceptable cap number for a nose tackle. He now has a cap hit of just over $3 million (according to Spotrac), but can make up to $8 million if he hits all his incentives.
Wilfork’s cap hit for the next two years are $8.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively. The Patriots will not pay Wilfork that kind of money after the 2014 season. This contract extension is essentially just a restructured final year of his contract; I believe he will be cut after this season. However, with the cap going up yet again next year, and with us yet to see how Wilfork returns from his injury, that could change. Strictly as a fan, I am happy that Wilfork will be back with the team. He is a leader and still a good run stuffing defensive tackle. However, I am not sure this was the right move. An outright cut may have been a better decision. The Patriots have more glaring needs at more important positions. They need to improve their pass rush as well as their offensive line. Wilfork could improve the pass rush with his return, as he will take up multiple blockers and allow blitzers or the Patriots’ ends to get to the passer. However, they need another true pass rusher to go along with Chandler Jones. That saved money could have gone to addressing that need. To play devil’s advocate (against my own argument), there were not many pass rushers left at the time. Jared Allen was the last to go and he signed with the Chicago Bears on a four year, $32 million deal. The Patriots would never have given Allen that type of money, and I am not sure I would have wanted them to. Wilfork at his current cap hit and a rookie pass rusher (such as a Dee Ford, Stephon Tuitt or Kony Ealy) is better than committing four years to a guy who is on the back nine. This deal just continues to add to what should be a top defense in 2014. Will Wilfork be back in 2015? I don’t think so, but this team is built for this year. It is not setting them up for failure after 2014, but it is set to win now.
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SAMUEL PERICOLOSam is a graduate of Assumption College where he studied History, Marketing, and Political Science and was a Co-Producer on a weekly sports talk television show. Archives
March 2018
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