ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE SOURCES WILFORK WANTS TO BE RELEASED

Yes, you read that correctly, multiple sources are saying that Vince Wilfork has asked the Patriots to release him.  So, does that mean that it is true?

Who knows?  While most of the the sources are citing ESPN as the source for this information. ESPN is citing the NFL Network.  If you go to the NFL.com website you'll see that  NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is the man who should get credit for breaking the story or starting the rumor.

While I have no idea if this is true or not, I hope it is incorrect.  Most people have speculated that the Patriots would be asking Wilfork to extend his contract to save the team some cap space this year.  Assuming that the Patriots were just trying to move some money from the 2014 season to later seasons and not just cutting his salary outright, I think Vince is being selfish.

While Wilfork has been the complete model citizen during his tenure with the Patriots and continued to be a leader after getting injured this season, it wasn't like he was doing so out of just the greatness of his heart.  Keep in mind Wilfork was paid a serious amount of money this season.  Obviously, a torn Achilles doesn't feel so good and was the result of an on the job injury (or was it really?), Wilfork still made $6.5 million this season.

While Vince may be irreplaceable, the defense will be able to survive without him.  Although the defense did have drop without him in the lineup, they were also missing our other big man Tommy Kelly for most of the season.