:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45827626/usa-today-8371224.0.jpg)
With news breaking today that Vince Wilfork's two-year contract option will not get picked up by the New England Patriots, the 11-year veteran will become an unrestricted free agent on March 10 - for the first time in his career.
Current and former players took to Twitter to share their opinions (of course, neither them nor we know for sure where Wilfork will play next year).
Current Patriots
Damn V! You leaving me big bruh. I aint gon be able to clown & laugh & argue wit you no mo bout the U. Damn man this shit sucks. @wilfork75
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 5, 2015
@wilfork75 locker room wont be the same without you big homie. Thanks for giving me the best rookie season I could ask 4.
— Zach Moore (@zachmoore_90) March 5, 2015
S/o to one of the best to ever do it... Luv you big bro @wilfork75... Can't slap you no more lol
— Josh Boyce (@Josh_Boyce) March 5, 2015
1 thang fa sho I had bukoo fun playin behind @vincewilforkfdn but I know he ain't losin. Still tha… https://t.co/m23SxHrVxh
— Jamie Collins (@KinG_8_JamiE) March 5, 2015
Damn y my big bro @wilfork75 helped me though a lot got me sick
— Dominique Easley (@DominiqueEasley) March 5, 2015
What a honor it was to play next to one of the greatest d tackles to do it! @wilfork75! Super bowl brothers 4 Eva! This man changed my game!
— sealver siliga (@S_Siliga) March 5, 2015
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="de"><p>Been an honor to call this guy a teammate, but the best thing is now he's FAMILY. Hope we play together again <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Legend?src=hash">#Legend</a> <a href="http://t.co/o3dCjbw7mO">pic.twitter.com/o3dCjbw7mO</a></p>— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCourtyTwins/status/573798992947113985">March 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Former Patriots
Proud of fellow @Patriots '04 draft class member @wilfork75 for all his accomplishments over the past 11 years. Well done "1A"! #notdoneyet
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 5, 2015
@wilfork75 Total class. Congrats on everything you've accomplished here, big man.
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) March 5, 2015
The thing the Patriots will miss most about Wilfork is his leadership and locker room presence. It's difficult to replace that.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) March 5, 2015
A tip of the hat is deserved for my guy @wilfork75 "HURRICANE!!!" (Pass rush conversations)
— Rosevelt Colvin (@rcolvin3) March 5, 2015
@wilfork75 if that's the end with #Patriots, one hell of a run big man! Congrats!
— Dan Koppen (@koppen67) March 5, 2015
Congrats to @wilfork75 on a great run with the @Patriots. True pro and great player.
— Drew Bledsoe (@DrewBledsoe) March 5, 2015
Props out to the future Hall of Famer Vince Wilfork for everything he did for pats nation great player better person !!!
— Rodney Harrison (@Rodney_Harrison) March 5, 2015
Vince Wilfork might not be a Patriot next year, but he will be a Patriot forever. The tweets above only echo this thought.