The New England Patriots parted ways with long-time defensive tackle Vince Wilfork this offseason, and it didn’t take a long time for the two-time champion to find work again.
Vince Wilfork became a free agent after the New England Patriots declined to pick up his option for the upcoming season and now he is a member of the Houston Texans.
Being a 33-year-old vet who already has 11 seasons under his belt is why Wilfork wasn’t an extremely exciting choice for teams once free agency began, but things picked up for the defensive tackle over the past couple of days – especially today.
Early today, Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported what Wilfork’s top three choices were.
"@eblack35: what are Wilfork's top 3 targets? And who's the favorite?"» Houston, Baltimore, Indy.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) March 15, 2015
Not long after that, John Lopez of CBS Houston reported that Wilfork left his meeting with the Texans without a deal and the team was no longer in the running for him.
Well, so much for that report.
There’s no better source than the subject himself, and Wilfork took to Twitter to announce that he is in fact signing with Houston.
Thank you everyone for everything your support has been tremendous pic.twitter.com/Kej0MsI6yB
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
Wilfork then continued on Twitter by thanking the Patriots for his time there.
To win a Super Bowl my rookie year as a Pat and win another 1 my last year as a Patriot is such a blessing I couldn't write a better ending
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
The Kraft family will always B family frm every son their wives &grandkids NFL brings people together real relationships keep them together
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
Thank you Bill for 11 years I have learned so much it's been an amazing run you your kids Linda we are always family
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
My brothers on the field I love you all I wish you success & health changing teams will never change our bonds we are brothers forever
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
To all the fans this is the hardest choice I have ever had to make you guys are my back bone and you guys will always be my heart
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 16, 2015
The numbers on the deal have not been released yet, but Ian Rapoport says that it will be a two-year contract.
It’s a 2-year deal for the #Texans and new DT Vince Wilfork.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2015
Wilfork noted that the Texans’ coaching staff made him feel like home, and that shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Houston’s head coach Bill O’Brien is a former offensive coordinator for New England, Romeo Crennel was a former defensive coordinator for the Patriots and they also have Wilfork’s former teammate Mike Vrabel on their staff.
Who knows how much gas is left in Wilfork’s tank, but he is joining a very solid defensive until led by J.J. Watt, and his main duty will be to bring some veteran leadership to a young team.
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