Around the NFL

Wilfork could lose out on $1.25M by sitting Week 17

Published: Dec 24, 2014 at 12:44 AM

The Patriots will be the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed whether they win or lose in their regular-season finale against the Bills.

Tom Brady wants to play Sunday so the offense can work out some kinks. Vince Wilfork has other reasons to be on the field in Foxborough.

Wilfork's contract is loaded with incentives, one of which being a $1.25 million escalator if he plays 70 percent of the Patriots defensive snaps and plays in the divisional round of the playoffs.

New England has already punched its ticket to the divisional playoffs. But Wilfork could miss out on the salary bump if Bill Belichick rests his starters in Week 17.

According to SportingCharts.com (via CSNNE.com), Wilfork has played in 764 of the Patriots 1,031 defensive snaps for 74.1 percent. If he sits against the Bills, there's a good chance he dips below 70 percent.

Speaking of Brady, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the quarterback fully guarantees his salaries for 2015 ($7 million), 2016 ($8M) and 2017 ($9M) if he suits up on Sunday. Both the QB and the Big Man will be itching to hit the field.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the biggest matchups in Week 17 and makes its picks for the last week of the season. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content

news

2024 NFL Draft Buzz: Latest league news, rumors from ahead of Thursday's Round 1

Could the Broncos trade down for a quarterback on Thursday night? Will a top-ranked pass rusher fall due to injury questions? There's plenty of buzz ahead of Night 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

news

Rams WR Cooper Kupp confident he can reclaim triple crown form: 'That is who I believe myself to be'

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp's health and his production have waned since a historic 2021 campaign. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old wholeheartedly believes he can return to the form of the player who turned in one of history's finest seasons not that long ago.

news

Commanders to retire Hall of Fame CB Darrell Green's No. 28

The Washington Commanders announced they will retire Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green's jersey No. 28 during the upcoming regular season

news

Gardner Minshew always considered Las Vegas 'first option': 'I feel like Raiders have been in my path'

Gardner Minshew isn't a sure thing to end up first on the Raiders' depth chart come September, but they were his top priority regardless once free agency begin back in March.

news

2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young aims to rebound, 'be the best version I can' for Panthers in 2024

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is looking forward to a fresh start in Year 2, aiming to look forward wile also learning from his rookie travails.

news

Will 2024 NFL Draft be historical family affair?

With an abundance of NFL prospects with familiar surnames likely to hear their names repeated in the 2024 NFL Draft, some new standards could be set.

news

Jaguars' Tony Khan takes punch, piledriver on 'AEW Dynamite' show

Tony Khan, the Jaguars' chief football strategy officer and the founder, owner and booker of All Elite Wrestling, took a punch to the gut and a "Meltzerdriver" piledriver Wednesday night live on AEW Dynamite from Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

news

RB Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys met Wednesday about possible return

Running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys met Wednesday about a potential return, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported. There is no deal in place, but the parties are in talks.

news

DE Trey Hendrickson requests trade from Bengals; team says it won't move him

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, although the team told him it won't move him, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per sources.

news

Cowboys pick up DE Micah Parsons' fifth-year rookie option

It's not an extension, but the Cowboys are ensuring pass rusher Micah Parsons is on the roster beyond 2024. Dallas has picked up the fifth-year option on Parsons' rookie deal, which is slated to cost $21.324 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.

news

Washington Commanders 2024 NFL Draft Guide: What you need to know

Get exclusive team insights and analysis for the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

news

LSU QB Jayden Daniels dismisses reports he doesn't want to play for Commanders

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, thought to be the favorite to go No. 2 to the Washington Commanders on Thursday, dismissed reports on Wednesday that he would prefer to not play in D.C.