Vince Wilfork could miss out on $1.25 million if he sits vs. Bills

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork could lose out on $1.25 million if he does not play in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, according to a report from Tom Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England.

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork could lose out on $1.25 million if he does not play in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, according to a report from Tom Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England.

An incentive in Wilfork's contract stipulates that if he plays in 70 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps, he will earn $1.25 million, the report says. His base salary this season is $1.3 million, according to spotrac.com.

Wilfork has played in 74.1 percent of the team's snaps so far, according to the website SportingCharts.com, but that number could fall below 70 if coach Bill Belichik decides to sit Wilfork along with other starters against the Bills.

He has already earned $1.25 million by playing at least 60 percent of the snaps. New England will have the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs regardless of the outcome of the game.

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From the report:

The average number of defensive snaps for the Patriots is 68.7. The first time the Patriots played the Bills, Buffalo ran 69 plays. If Vince sits Sunday and 70 plays are run, he will have played in 69.4 percent of the Patriots defensive snaps.

Wilfork has already realized the $1.25M escalator for playing at least 60 percent of the defensive snaps. So $1.25 million is on the line for him Sunday depending on what Bill Belichick decides to do defensively.

Belichick said Tuesday morning that the answer to every question could be, “We’ll do what’s best for the team.”

Wilfork, 33, is in his 11th season with the Patriots. Over 15 games this season, he has recorded 24 tackles.