The New England Patriots will not bring back veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork after 11 seasons with the team. Wilfork announced on social media that the team did not pick his option for 2015 which will make him a free agent in this offseason of the National Football League, or NFL.


Wilfork posted a message on Twitter along with a pictured image of his official statement tackling the latest status with his team on Wednesday night.

“New England has been and always will be my home. I have played 11 years for the greatest head coach ever. I’ve played next to Men that I now have as brothers for a life time,” Wilfork said in his statement. "I will take my time [to] think things through take into consideration many things but mainly my family and see where life goes from there ... But regardless remember I will always remain a New Englander a Patriot forever."

The 33 year old Wilfork was the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Patriots and played there for all of his NFL career. Wilfork won two Super Bowl titles with the team winning in Super Bowl XXXIX and XLIX and was also named to the NFL Pro Bowl team five times in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

New England teammates and fans reacted to the news immediately after the announcement. Wilfork, who is well-liked in the locker room and touted for his good influence on teammates, was called a “class act” by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg, a self-confessed fan of the Patriots. Dominique Easley, LeGarrette Blount and Zach Moore were among the teammates who publicly showed gratitude to Wilfork for his time with the Patriots.

Wilfork has yet to announce if he still will continue playing in the NFL after the Patriots released him but there are already other NFL squads reportedly interested in acquiring him. NFL teams that may sign Wilfork are the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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