Vince Wilfork shares letter to fans after Patriots decline option

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Vince Wilfork is a Patriot no more.

The defensive lineman released a statement Thursday morning saying that the Patriots did not pick up his $4 million option and that he will be an unrestricted free agent.

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In addition to the $4 million roster bonus Wilfork was owed, he also would have earned a $3 million base salary and counted $8.9 million against the salary cap in 2015. 

Wilfork, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2004 and was on their squad for 11 seasons, vowed that he would "always be a fixture in New England" and that he would be "a Patriot forever."

Wilfork won Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2004 and 2014.

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