Patriots Place the Franchise Tag On Vince Wilfork

It’s official, the New England Patriots have placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on nose tackle Vince Wilfork.  Here is a quote from the Patriots’ official press release:

A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team’s top contractual priority for some time. Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans. It is because of Vince’s importance to this organization that we have assigned the franchise designation as we continue to work toward a long-term agreement. We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come.

Clearly, the Patriots are making it known, through this rather unusual press release (for their standards), that re-signing Vince is their number one priority. In fact, I think this will happen sooner than later (deadline is July). If Wilfork isn’t extended soon, it will show some serious disrespect to the guys in the locker room, and it would give Randy Moss’ claim that the Patriots “don’t pay” even more validity.

By receiving the franchise tag, Wilfork, if no extension was reach and he signed the tender, would make just over seven million this season.  Wilfork is also free to negotiate a deal with any team he wishes.  If that team signed him to an offer sheet, the Patriots would have seven days to match, or they could let him walk, but would get two first round picks in return.  Because 2010 will be an uncapped year, the Patriots also still have the transition tag at their disposal.