Wilfork attended the Patriots Charitable Foundation golf tournament yesterday at The International, although it didn't appear that signaled a thaw in his stance. A team official prevented media members from speaking with him, but he was part of a live interview on WEEI in which he added context to the situation.
"It's nothing personal towards the organization," Wilfork told the radio station. "It's nothing personal towards my coaches or anything like that. It's not the first time a player has gone through a contract negotiation problem.
"So I try to stay positive and at the same time do what's best for me and my family. At the end of the day, that's what matters to me."
Wilfork, 27, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.2 million this year, which is the final season in the six-year contract he signed as a rookie in 2004. Both sides agree that Wilfork is worthy of a raise, but the issue is finding a middle ground. The sides have discussed an extension, but talks are stuck in neutral, which has prompted Wilfork to stay away in an attempt to spark movement.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said yesterday that the league's uncertain labor situation was a consideration with Wilfork, pointing out, "We're in a unique period in the evolution of the labor relations, so there are a lot of things factoring in here."
But that seems to overlook the plethora of extensions signed by players across the NFL this offseason, most recently the San Francisco 49ers inking offensive tackle Joe Staley to a deal through 2017 last week that included a reported $40 million in new money, $16 million of which was guaranteed.
Kraft, whose club has had contract standoffs with defensive lineman Richard Seymour, receiver Deion Branch, and cornerback Asante Samuel in recent years, called himself a "big fan" of Wilfork.
"Unfortunately, the business part of this game, this is something that goes on every year with most teams," Kraft said. "We're lucky to have Vince. I hope he's here for the long-term. These things usually have a way of working themselves out."
