Vince Wilfork to remain a Patriot

The Patriots and Vince Wilfork have restructured the defensive tackle's contract, keeping him in New England, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The new deal is for one year and $8 million, with $3 million guaranteed, the source said. It also has an option for two more years that could bring the total amount of the deal to $22.5 million.

This marks a resolution after Wilfork recently requested his release from the team, as the two sides had been negotiating for a compromise. Wilfork was previously under contract through just the 2014 season, with a base salary for $7.5 million and a salary cap charge of $11.4 million.

Wilfork, who has been with the Patriots since being selected in the first round of the 2004 draft, had requested to be released earlier this month.

He addressed the situation Thursday on Twitter:

My thoughts pic.twitter.com/MUW3I3ml4Y

- Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) March 27, 2014Not only does the new deal keep a cornerstone defensive piece with the franchise for potentially three more seasons, it is likely to offer the Patriots short-term salary cap relief for 2014.

Wilfork, the team's second longest tenured player behind only quarterback Tom Brady, continues to recover from a torn Achilles suffered near the start of last season.

The five-time Pro Bowler was a 2004 first round pick for the Patriots and has been a defensive captain for multiple seasons. He and Brady are the lone remaining players from the team's last Super Bowl-winning team.

The Patriots have been busy this offseason, extending Wilfork, re-signing wide receiver Julian Edelman and adding cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in free agency.