Vince Wilfork announced by Twitter that he has re-signed with the Patriots long term.

The deal reportedly is for five years and $40 million, with $25 million of it guaranteed and $18 million in the form of a signing bonus.

"Thanks to everyone who supported us during our time here in New England it has ment a great deal to us," Wilfork "tweeted" in a joint statement from him and his wife, Bianca. "With that being said we are pleased to say we will be here for MANY more years to come."

With those financial terms, Wilfork would be the highest-paid nose tackle and the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL.

The Patriots placed the franchise tag on Wilfork prior to the deadline this year and said they were attempting to sign him to a long-term deal. Wilfork previously had said he would be upset if the Patriots franchised him, but it clearly had no bearing on the accord of a new agreement.