Report: Vince Wilfork Asks for Patriots to Release Him

The big news just keeps coming. According to a Tweet from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, long-time New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has requested his release from the team:

#Patriots Pro Bowl DT Vince Wilfork has asked that the team release him after 10 seasons in New England, according to sources.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2014

This news comes as surprising, but not necessarily shocking. It is likely that the two sides came together to discuss a restructure, and that things did not go according to plan for Wilfork.

Releasing Wilfork will free up nearly eight million in cap space for the Patriots. However, in losing him, the team is losing the cornerstone of their defense from the last decade, a great locker room leader, and the best space eater in all of football.

There's no word yet whether the Patriots will grant Wilfork his request. But considering he no longer wants to play for the team, carrying an $11 plus million cap hit just doesn't make sense.