Vince Wilfork has reached an agreement with the Houston Texans. The contract is a two-year deal worth $9 million, including $5 million guaranteed. Wilfork became a free agent when the Patriots decided not to exercise his option for the 2015 season.
There are many familiarities with the Texans that make Wilfork comfortable inking a deal with Houston. Wilfork will re-unite with former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crenell, who held the same position for New England during Wilfork's rookie season. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien worked with the Patriots from 2007-2012. Wilfork's former teammate Mike Vrabel is the linebacker coach for the Texans.
Wilfork issued a statement in regards to playing for the Patriots for the past eleven seasons:
"This has been an interesting process for me and my family, one we have taken very seriously and given a lot of thought. We want to thank the Kraft family and entire Patriot organization for the last 11 years, however we will be starting a new chapter in our lives as Houston Texans. The coaching staff in Houston has made this exciting new transition feel like home to us. We will forever be Patriots in our hearts, thank you everyone for everything.”
Wilfork is a two-time Super Bowl Champion (XXIX, XLIX) and has been to the Pro Bowl on five different occasions (2007, 2009-2012). He is projected to start at NT for the Texans, but will have to battle second-year player Louis Nix III, who missed his entire rookie season in 2014 with a knee injury.