Vince Wilfork Announces Patriots Won’t Pick Up Option; Will Hit Free Agency

Vince Wilfork might have gone out on top with the New England Patriots.

The All-Pro defensive tackle announced Thursday on Twitter that the Patriots aren’t picking up his two-year option, which clears $8 million in salary cap room. Wilfork will hit free agency Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

[tweet https://twitter.com/wilfork75/status/573482158439940096 align=center]

Wilfork will hit free agency and said in his statement he will consider many options. He didn’t specifically rule out a return to the Patriots, which obviously would come at a reduced rate.

If Wilfork has played his last game with the Patriots, then he went out the right way, winning Super Bowl XLIX. Wilfork returned from a torn Achilles tendon and had a great 2014 season, playing all 19 games and being a cog in the middle of the Patriots’ defense.

Wilfork will have bookended his career in New England with Super Bowl victories, also winning Super Bowl XXXIX in his rookie season.

Freeing up this cap room could help the Patriots re-sign Darrelle Revis or Devin McCourty. Once Revis’ option is declined, the Patriots will have around $16 million in cap space.

Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images