Vince Wilfork: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent DT

For the first time in his 11-year career, Vince Wilfork was able to pick his home. The former All-Pro defensive tackle has been a staple of the New England Patriots defense since 2004, but the nature of the business has left him in a spot to secure one more long-term contract with a new team. He announced he will join the Houston Texans.

Continue for updates. 

---

Wilfork Announces He Will Join Texans

Monday, March 16

Wilfork announced on Twitter that his time in New England has officially come to an end, as he will join the Texans:

John P. Lopez of SportsRadio 610 reported earlier on Monday that the Texans would not sign Wilfork after his visit with the team.

Wilfork met with the Texans on Sunday, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. He called the Texans one of "several" teams looking to sign Wilfork. 

On March 13, Wilfork's agent, Kennard McGuire, talked about where he would like the free-agent defensive tackle to sign, suggesting the Texans are the top option, per a series of tweets from Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston: 

"

Vince has several opportunities he's looking at. Obviously I'm very biased being in Houston and wanting him to be here with me. I would welcome that. 1 of the benefits from the (Texans) organization's standpoint is that of familiarity. Vince played with (LB coach Mike) Vrabel. He was coached by Billy O & Rac (Romeo Crennel). All of those elements are appealing 2Vince.

"

On March 12, Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that "Wilfork has three 2-for $10M deals on the table from AFC teams." 

On March 10, Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com reported that the Texans were interested in Wilfork and that having Romeo Crennel on the coaching staff would give them an edge in the race to sign him. 

---

Colts Don't Plan to Meet with Wilfork

Monday, March 16

Mike Wells of ESPN reported that Indianapolis doesn't plan to meet with Wilfork as he explores free agency.

---

Multiple Teams Interested in Wilfork

Wednesday, March 11

Rapoport reported that Wilfork has been drawing interest from teams around the league. 

The relationship between Wilfork and the Patriots wasn't always rosy, as the two went through tense times last year before ultimately agreeing to a one-year contract worth up to $8 million. At the time, he offered this statement on Twitter:

He played out that deal, bouncing back nicely after appearing in only four games two years ago. 

In many ways, the 2014 season feels like an appropriate time for Wilfork's tenure in New England to end. If the two sides really do part ways—it's always possible he returns at a significantly reduced rate—he will have bookended his Patriots career with Super Bowls as a rookie in 2004 and last season. 

Given the number of teams that are looking for help and depth on the defensive line, Wilfork's market should be fruitful. He's got an idea of what his value is on the field, while teams must decide if that aligns with their salary-cap plans.