After reaching the pinnacle of success, Vince Wilfork appears to be moving on.
The New England Patriots defensive tackle announced Thursday that the team isn’t picking up the option on his contract, meaning he’ll enter into free agency next Tuesday.
Wilfork’s legacy in New England, of course, is well-documented. A massive gap-clogger and run-stopper, Wilfork helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl during his rookie season in 2004. He was selected to five All-Pro teams over the next 11 seasons and was a key cog in the team’s Super Bowl XLIX victory over the Seattle Seahawks this year.
On the flip side, though, departing from Wilfork clears $8 million in salary-cap space. The Patriots have major decisions to make involving defensive personnel — most notably Devin McCourty and Darrelle Revis — and dishing out more money to Wilfork, who turns 34 in November, would have been a risk given the team’s current financial constraints.
What do you think? Were the Patriots smart to free up cap space and let Wilfork walk, or should they have paid to keep one of the pillars of a championship defense in New England?
Cast your vote in the poll below.
Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images