Vince Wilfork’s restructured return to New England was a compromise on what lies ahead. (USA Today Sports Images)
NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas
For 14 days, it seemed imminent.
It seemed as if his success in holding the point of attack on the field and the organization’s success in doing the same off the field would be their unraveling.
For Vince Wilfork and the New England Patriots, it seemed to be about pride.
But as two weeks of uncertainty wore on, so did the semblance of hope that the 10-year NFL veteran would restructure his $11.6 million salary cap hit to return to the team that drafted him 21st overall in 2004.
In the afternoon hours of March 27, that came to fruition, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 32-year-old defensive tackle had re-signed on a one-year, $8 million deal with $2.6 million guaranteed and a two-year option worth up to $22.5 million.
His cleaned-out locker and torn-off nameplate would not spell the end of his stay in Foxborough, Mass.; it would only catalyze a new one. (more…)
