Vince Wilfork asks to be released by New England Patriots

Vince Wilfork played in just four games last season before suffering a torn Achilles. (Al Tielemans/SI) Veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, coming off a

Vince Wilfork played in just four games last season before suffering a torn Achilles. (Al Tielemans/SI)

Veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, carried an $11.6 million cap number as he geared up for the final year of his contract, which led to the New England Patriots approaching him about possibly restructuring his deal.

New England was looking to free up some extra cap space to attack free agency, but now it will have a bigger decision to make after Wilfork refused to renegotiate his deal.

According to multiple media reports, Wilfork officially asked the team for his release after talks came to a stop over the past few days. Releasing Wilfork would clear up $8 million in cap space, but leave the team with $3.6 million in dead money.

Wilfork has been an anchor for the Patriots' defensive front over the past decade, and without him in the trenches the team would lose a valuable run-stuffer and block eater.

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