Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will show up to training camp on time, despite his desire for a new contract.
The news doesn’t come as a surprise, as Wilfork also attended the team’s mandatory minicamp last month. He skipped the team’s voluntary Organized Team Activities earlier as a “business decision.”
Wilfork is perhaps the most important player on a revamped Patriots defense and is due $2.2 million this season as part of his rookie contract.
The Patriots drafted some leverage this season in second-round pick Ron Brace, but Wilfork has developed into a prototypical 3-4 defensive tackle. There aren’t many of those around, so he appears to be the key contract for New England to address, except for Tom Brady.
The negotiations with Wilfork have publicly lacked the acrimony or drama that plagued dealings in the past with Deion Branch and Asante Samuel.
Wilfork’s expected arrival at training camp is a sign his contract will not become a distraction.
Patriots rookies arrive in Foxborough for the start of the training camp on Sunday. Rookies for the Eagles, Chargers, and Texans also arrive at camp today.