Wilfork cleaned out his Pats’ locker
FOXBORO, MA (The Spread) – If anyone thought Vince Wilfork was just blowing off some steam when he asked to be released, think again.
In addition to requesting his release, the Boston Herald is reporting that an “angry” Wilfork cleaned out his locker and “ripped his name plate off his locker stall” after the Patriots approached him about reworking his contract. According to the report, Wilfork “seamed convinced” that his days in New England were finished.
The 32-year-old Wilfork missed most of last season with a torn Achilles tendon and the team asked him to restructure his contract so they won’t have to pay him the $7.5 million that he’s owed on his current contract. Given how he might not be able to play a full 16-game season, asking Wilfork to take a pay cut isn’t that unreasonable, although the defensive tackle has been one of the core pieces for the Patriots since his rookie season in 2004.
When asked if Wilfork requested his release to Bill Belichick, the Patriots coach said: “I’m not going to talk about anything with any of our specific players. I’m not going to get into that.”
Meanwhile, owner Bob Kraft stated at the NFL league meetings on Monday that he was noncommittal on Wilfork’s future with the Patriots.
“We have to put a team together of over 50 people,” Kraft said. “We have a salary cap. In the end, it’s about both parties feeling it’s a good transaction and it’s a win-win. I think that’s what we’re both shooting for.”
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Patriots are 9/1 to win the 2015 Super Bowl and 3/1 to win an AFC title.
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