The New England Patriots selected NT Vince Wilfork with the 21st overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. Two Super Bowl titles, four Super Bowl Appearances, four All Pro distinctions, five Pro Bowls, and thirteen seasons later, Wilfork is thinking about hanging up the cleats, according to various media members in Houston.
Vince Wilfork says he'll contemplate retirement after the season, says 'It'll be a tough decisions'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 3, 2017
Wilfork was the heart of the Patriots defense during his his entire tenure and became the face of it, too, once Tedy Bruschi retired. Wilfork was beloved in New England for his ferocious strength on the field and his warm smiles and leadership off it. The “325”-pound nose tackle is often credited with being the key to the Patriots defense; his versatility and endurance allowed the Patriots to play multiple schemes on a given drive without having to change personnel.
Wilfork will eventually be a member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame and possibly a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. He will be a free agent this offseason after two years with the Texans and will turn 36 years old next season. He had made roughly $60 million in salary earnings over the course of his career, not including sponsorship opportunities.
Best of luck to Vince at this pivotal moment in his career. He’ll always be welcome back in New England.