New England Patriots Report

Non-exclusive franchise tag for Wilfork

February, 22, 2010

2/22/10

1:01

PM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

The Patriots have assigned the non-exclusive franchise tag to defensive lineman Vince Wilfork today, according to an NFL source.

The non-exclusive tag means that other teams can host Wilfork on a free-agent visit and potentially sign him to an offer sheet (a player assigned the exclusive franchise tag couldn't negotiate with other teams). If the Patriots decide not to match a potential offer sheet, they would receive two first-round draft choices. Because of that high cost, it is rare for a non-exclusive franchise tag player to change teams with an offer sheet.

If Wilfork signs his non-exclusive franchise tender with the Patriots, it would be a one-year deal at $7 million.

More on this to come.

Tom Curran of CSNNE.com previously tweeted that Wilfork received the franchise tag. Shalise Manza-Young of the Providence Journal previously tweeted that today looked like the day Wilfork would receive the tag.

Mike Reiss

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Covered Patriots since 1997
Blogging on Pats since 2004
Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

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Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attends Providence College, where he assists the athletic department in game management, facilities, and logistics. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).