You can't renegotiate a contract twice during the same league year, right? That means that the Pats will have to pay the $4M roster bonus before they can consider restructuring the contract, which may or may not be successful. So it's pay him the $4M or cut him, no in-betweens.
Tough situation to be in, and a decision I'm glad I don't have to make. Wilfork's done everything asked of him and came back remarkably strong after such a tough injury. But when comparing $8.5M in new money for 2015 versus an additional $433,333 dead money charge for cutting him, and I just don't think this is going to end well for anyone.....
You speak as if the team cannot negotiate with Wilfork until the 2nd day of the new season after the bonus is paid. That simply isn't the case.
The patriots are allowed to negotiate with a player under contract. On the first day of the new season the patriots can
1) cut Wilfork
2) announce a new deal, with a pay cut
3) announce a new deal with a new bonus and moving some salary to bonus (saving $3M of cap room, with no pay cut, or
4) or whether the team will simply pay Wilfork the $4M.
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Perhaps, the 2014 contract was just a fake contract with the team having to make a decision before March first. Or, perhaps the team actually intended (and intends) to pay Wilfork the money if he played well enough in 2014.
We all recall the speculations and negotiations least year. Many (most?) of us didn't think that Wilfork could possibly play as well he has. And we all recall Wilfork's past negotiations. IMHO, if Wilfork is asked to discuss a pay cut, Wilfork's agent will simply say that his client will be happy to discuss his contract starting on the 2nd day of the new league year.
All this being said, the BOTTOM LINE is Belichick is Belichick, and we have a clue what he will do. And we well understand that past suggestions or discussions mean exactly zero. Loyalty means exactly zero. Well, these things mean something. Belichick would certainly praise Wilfork to the rafters. no matter what his decision.