The Patriots' decision to assign the franchise tag to nose tackle Vince Wilfork on Monday opens up several options for both sides.

Assuming the 28-year-old Wilfork signs the tender — a one-year deal for $7.003 million — he and his agent, Kennard McGuire, would have the option to go out, negotiate elsewhere and sign an offer sheet. If the Patriots can’t match that offer, Wilfork can walk, and New England would get two first-round draft choices in return. (An unlikely scenario, but still a possibility.)

The Patriots also could trade Wilfork. This was what happened to safety Tebucky Jones, who was dealt to New Orleans in 2003 for three draft picks shortly after he was tagged. They also did it with Matt Cassel last year, tagging him then trading him to Kansas City, although that was more about finding a suitable trade partner than it was reaching a deal on a long-term contract.

It’s possible the Patriots go that same trade route with Wilfork, but one NFL source says he “strongly doubts that would happen,” saying the Patriots are in a situation right now where “they need him, and [it] would hurt to lose him.”

So, if the two are stuck with each other, what happens? In previous years, if you were hit with the franchise tag in New England, it marked the start of an eventful stretch in a Patriots uniform. There was Jones in 2003 and Cassel in 2009, and both were dealt relatively quickly. Kicker Adam Vinatieri was franchised twice — the first time in 2002, which allowed both sides to take some extra time to reach an agreement on a new contract. He also was franchised in 2005, the last contract he would sign with the Patriots.

And then there was cornerback Asante Samuel in 2007. He was hit with a franchise tag and staged a holdout before eventually returning for an incentive-laden deal. But the seeds of enmity between the two sides ran so deep that as a result, there was little question the cornerback would be gone at the end of the year. (In fact, the following year, Samuel was in Philadelphia for his introductory press conference 18 hours after the start of free agency.)

But this time might be different, for several reasons. For one thing, while Wilfork has complained that getting hit with the franchise tag would be the equivalent of a “slap in the face,” there doesn’t appear to be the same ill will between the two sides that existed between the team and Samuel in 2007. And while Wilfork could hold out, this time around it appears things will be different.

On Monday, there was no hostile rhetoric. No angry shots at management that have become commonplace around the league after teams have handed out the franchise tag. Instead, both sides pledged — at least publicly — to take advantage of the extra time that the franchise tag allows to work toward a long-term agreement.

“After six years of dedicated service I do understand this is a business,” Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, stated in a series of tweets that served to spark some of the reason for optimism. “With that being said it is my hope that the tag is applied for its true purpose. For the purpose of allotting more time for us to continue our talks and be able to reach a long-term agreement. Only time will tell what the final result will be.”

Likewise, there were niceties from the Patriots, who issued a similar statement.

“A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team’s top contractual priority for some time,” the Patriots said in a press release announcing the move. “Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans.

“It is because of Vince’s importance to this organization that we have assigned the franchise designation as we continue to work toward a long-term agreement. We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come.”