Speaking to Tom E. Curran of Comcast Sports Net New England, Patriots owner Robert Kraft opened up regarding the ongoing discussions with Vince Wilfork.
Kraft: ‘I Think We’re Close’ To A Deal With Wilfork
Look, we’re running a business and in a business you have to prioritize. We have a budget. We want to develop a team that puts us in the best position to win. Vince was a priority.
The Wilfork situation has been intriguing because unlike most teams with nose tackles, the Patriots have options. They drafted two potential Wilfork replacements last season in Ron Brace and Myron Pryor.
Despite that, Kraft reiterated that the Patriots want Wilfork beyond 2010.
And we worked very hard and I think both sides have worked hard and I think we’re close and I hope we close something but in the end, he was our priority, the first priority.
Unfortunately for Wilfork, the Patriots hold most of the leverage here. If he doesn’t sign the franchise tag, then his only option is to not play. In addition to that, it’d be a shock if a team gave up the two first round picks it would take to get him with the franchise tag.
There’s not a rush for either side to get this deal done (Well, Wilfork wants to be paid sooner rather than later) but Kraft’s words indicate something may be on the horizon.
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