The New England Patriots likely are set to release a team icon.
All-Pro defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has asked the Patriots to release him, sources told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Wilfork spent 10 seasons with the team.
Releasing Wilfork would save the Patriots $8 million in salary cap space. Wilfork was set to count $11.6 million against the cap in 2014.
The Patriots approached Wilfork about a restructured contract once, Rapoport reports. Wilfork and the Patriots have not been in contact recently.
Wilfork was drafted No. 21 overall in 2004. He was named to five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams as a Patriot. Wilfork spent the last 13 weeks of the 2013 NFL season on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Wilfork, 32, was entering the last season of the five-year, $40 million contract he signed in 2010. He will become a free agent if officially released.
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