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According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is asking to be released.
This is a huge shocker, mostly because of what this means for the Patriots. Wilfork is a leader of the defense and a leader of the team. Losing him would be a huge blow for the entire franchise, mostly because of the ten seasons of service that Wilfork provided.
Wilfork tore his achilles tendon last season and has been rehabbing with the hope of earning his starting job back. At the age of 32, a successful return is far from certain.
Wilfork presents an $8 million saving in cap space should he be released. The Patriots would be left with questionable depth at defensive tackle, with a unit led by Tommy Kelly, Sealver Siliga, Chris Jones, Joe Vellano, and Armond Armstead.
I'm personally hoping Wilfork is asking for a release to save cap space, and the Patriots will resign him, but I doubt that's in play.