New England Patriots’ Vince Wilfork asked to be released on Thursday, after 10 seasons with the team.
The NFL Network reported that Wilfork asked for the release after anchoring the team’s defense for the past decade.
He’s set to make $11.6 million in 2014, the final season of a 5-year, $40 million extension he signed in 2010. The Patriots were asking him to restructure the deal.
He’s coming off of a torn Achilles heel, an injury that limited him to a career-low four games last season.
Releasing him will save the Patriots $8 million against the salary cap.
Wilfork has always been vocal about his contracts, calling the Patriots’ decision to use the franchise tag on him in 2010 a “slap in the face.”