Do you think the Patriots will release Vince Wilfork?

[Brady6]

To clarify the question, I am not asking if you would release Vince Wilfork if you ran the team. I am asking, if you believe Belichick and the Patriots will? He is listed in most media member’s articles as a cap casualty.

I do not think they will. I think they value him on the field and in the locker room more than they value any player not named Tom Brady.

 

[lurker1965]

No. They will ask him to redo his contact for cap savings.

That assumes I know as much about the situation as "them." If Vince says, "Hey, this is worse than I thought," the answer is different.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

It might be a bit of semantics, but I don't believe most media members list him as a cap casualty.

I've seen several articles where they suggest it might happen, but more than likely a re-negotiation of sorts will be done. I think that's what most people assume, not that he'll be cut because of his cap number.

I have seen one or two articles from real places that assume he'll be cut, but they're not really from anyone I'd trust (Felger & Mazz...really...)

I see far more speculation about it on here from fans or on places like Bleacher Report or Rant Sports.

It's obviously a possibility, but I think it's been a bit overblown. And I do think Vince and the team will find a deal like the Suggs deal which lets him stay with the team and lowers his cap number.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I will cite scripture (Patriots Gospel according to Miguel) for my response…

"Here are some moves that I think that Patriots may do
3a.)Reduce Wilfork’s salary from $7.5 million to $4 million while converting $3.5million of his salary into a NTLBE (sic) incentive – cap savings of $3.5 million"

This presupposes that the Patriots see satisfactory ACL healing progress and expected pre-season conditioning results with Big Vince

 

[Love The Drake]

I think Bill is not sentimental, if he believed the savings on the cap could do more for the team then bringing Back Vince on a few millions less he will likely party ways. I believe the nature of the injury compounded with Vince's body along with The strides Seaver made last season makes it a hard but clear decision to release Vince a year early vs a year late.
We've seen it I'm sure nobody appreciates Vince more than Bill but I beleive he will bring in a Red Bryant or a Michael Johnson vs paying Vince for a job we are not sure he can still perform at a high level.
My money says released and picked up by a team looking for veteran leadership.
With The NFL much more of a passing league and sub defenses becoming more and more important. Having a Nose tackle coming from a devastated injury at his age and weight is just not feasible.
For the record I dont believe a long term contract for Talib is either unless there is protection protection from injuries and off field incidents. If Vince would take a MASSIVE pay cut built with incentives to prove he is capable. I think him Sopoga and possibly Kelly are all sent packing. I'm tired of Mr Kraft paying injured players and I'm sure he is as well.

 

[Marqui]

No, I think they'll restructure his contract.

 

[JoeSixPat]

To clarify the question, I'm not asking if you would release Vince Wilfork if you ran the team. I'm asking if you believe Belichick and the Patriots will? He is listed in most media members articles as a cap casualty.

I do not think they will. I think they value him on the field and in the locker room more than any player not named Tom Brady.

Count me in the contract re-structure camp as opposed to an outright cut.

Unless they think they can replace Wilfork in the middle (their run stopping ability was gone once he went down - though other injuries didn't help either) they need him back - and I think their medical professionals folks have a good shot at helping him return to full strength

That being said I expect them to take a big, versatile body early in the draft (trade back to 2nd round?) that has the potential to develop into someone who can replace Wilfork or at least provide some depth

 

[stinkypete]

I believe they will restructure. Cutting Wilfork costs about $3.5 million in dead money. Add that to the cost of a replacement in FA, and you're still carrying a hefty cap charge. From the team's perspective, a restructure is the best possible outcome.

It all depends on Vince's willingness to take a pay cut and but how much. Vince and his $10+ million cap charge will not be on the books once free agency begins. If he won't take the pay cut, he's a goner. Still, I don't see any other teams paying him big money given the age/fitness/injury combo.

 

[pats4life12]

No I don't think we should release Wilfork. Right now he is all we got on the line right now. Just beacuse he got hurt last year doesn't mean he is not going to be good anymore.

 

[varjao]

No, I don't think so.

 

[mayoclinic]

I believe they will have a conversation with Wilfork about taking a pay cut and/or restructuring to a deal which lowers his cap hit but does not involve any additional guaranteed money. If he is not amenable to that, I believe they will cut him outright.

 

[kennyb]

I believe they will restructure. Cutting Wilfork costs about $3.5 million in dead money. Add that to the cost of a replacement in FA, and you're still carrying a hefty cap charge. From the team's perspective, a restructure is the best possible outcome.

It all depends on Vince's willingness to take a pay cut and but how much. Vince and his $10+ million cap charge will not be on the books once free agency begins. If he won't take the pay cut, he's a gtoner. Still, I don't see any other teams paying him big money given the age/fitness/injury combo.

The 3.6m cap hit will happen no matter what. Even with a restructure.

 

[Big-T]

I believe they will restructure. Cutting Wilfork costs about $3.5 million in dead money. Add that to the cost of a replacement in FA, and you're still carrying a hefty cap charge. From the team's perspective, a restructure is the best possible outcome.

3.5m dead money is nothing compared to the $8m it SAVES.

They probably aren't going to release him, though.

 

[Gronkandez]

I believe they will have a conversation with Wilfork about taking a pay cut and/or restructuring to a deal which lowers his cap hit but does not involve any additional guaranteed money. If he is not amenable to that, I believe they will cut him outright.

I agree, but what are the chances big Vince agrees to a pay cut, and what are the chances the Pats offer more guaranteed money to an aging, huge guy coming off of a serious injury? IMO it's kind of a recipe for disaster. Not to mention a NT isn't quiet as valuable in todays pass happy league.

I will say though, that the increased cap certainly helps Vince's chances of staying. I still think its about 60/40 he gets cut unfortunately.

 

[resdubwhite]

Whatever Bill thinks will make the team better as a result.

Non commital eh!

 

[Galeb]

My gut says that Wilfork would like to continue being a Patriot as long as he is effective. That would likely mean an extension at an affordable price that protects the Pats if Vince isn't the same after his injury. Pats gave Vince a huge, long-term contract last time. A rare thing for massive NTs his size and age. I suspect that meant a lot to him.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

If Wilfork hadn't gotten injured last year and played at his typical level, he still wouldn't be playing 2014 on his current contract with his current cap charge. Some extension would have been worked out that would have shaved $4M or so off the cap hit.

As it is, the only way I see the Patriots releasing him at this point is if either his recovery is not going well at all, or if Wilfork will not be realistic about the financial situation. I doubt the latter is true. My suspicion is a 2 year extension will be worked out with a small bonus now, a lot of NLTBE incentives for this year, and a larger roster bonus to be paid this time next year. Cuts the cap hit significantly this year, gives Wilfork the opportunity to work himself back, rewards him well financially if he does, and doesn't hurt the team financially if he doesn't. Something like: $1.5M signing bonus, $1M base salary and $4M in NLTBE incentives in 2014, $3M roster bonus at day 1 of 2015 season, base salaries of $3M for 2015 and 2016 with another $2M in incentives in those years.

 

[Keyser Söze]

See where he is medically. If you think he's on track for the season then restructure his deal. If not then he's going to have to go. Nothing personal just good business.

 

[skspikex2]

Well, hopefully he will be back but with either some sort of restructuring. Last time I saw him on the sideline, he look like the man who ate Wilfork, not Wilfork himself.

 

[RayClay]

To clarify the question, I am not asking if you would release Vince Wilfork if you ran the team. I am asking, if you believe Belichick and the Patriots will? He is listed in most media member’s articles as a cap casualty.

I do not think they will. I think they value him on the field and in the locker room more than they value any player not named Tom Brady.

He is listed by most media members?

Not Reiss. Are we including the Felcher, CHB shank and others as media members?

My answer is no, unless it's medical.