New York Jets Vilma was drafted by the Jets in the first round with the 12th selection in the
2004 NFL draft.
2004 In 2004, Vilma was named as the
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the
Associated Press. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 107 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, one of which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.
2005 In 2005, Vilma led the NFL in tackles with 169, forced four fumbles, notched one fumble recovery, half a sack, and one interception. Vilma also replaced
Zach Thomas at the
2006 Pro Bowl.
2006 In 2006, Vilma put together another solid season. He compiled 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
2007 On October 27, 2007, Vilma was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a season ending knee injury during the New York Jets week 7 game against the
Cincinnati Bengals.
New Orleans Saints 2008 On February 29, 2008, the Jets traded Vilma to the
New Orleans Saints for a fourth-round draft pick in the
2008 NFL draft and a conditional pick in the
2009 NFL draft (ultimately a third-round pick). Jets then-head coach
Eric Mangini elected to start linebackers
Eric Barton and
David Harris in his place. In his first season with the Saints, Vilma was a bright spot on a weak defensive unit. Vilma played in all 16 games, and recorded 132 tackles with one sack.
2009: Super Bowl year On February 27, 2009, Vilma signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Saints. Vilma was elected one of the defensive captains, led the team in tackles, had three interceptions, and was chosen for his second Pro Bowl. In
Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010, Vilma made several important plays, including making a key defensive audible and deflecting a pass on 3rd and 11 in the fourth quarter. The Saints beat the
Indianapolis Colts 31–17.
2010–2011 Vilma again led the team in tackles in 2010, started every game, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He was ranked 37th by his fellow players on the
NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. In 2011, he started and played in 11 games but was inactive for five others with a knee injury. He was ranked 58th by his fellow players on the
NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.
2012: Bounty scandal Vilma was a central figure in the
New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. The NFL alleged that
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams operated an incentive program, which paid out "bounties" for deliberately putting opposing players out of games. The league alleged that Vilma offered $10,000 cash to anyone who knocked
Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Most notably, Favre was forced out of the game for one play with an ankle injury. Although up to 27 players were accused of involvement, Vilma was the only player initially singled out by the league for his role. The NFL suspended Vilma for the entire 2012 season on May 2, 2012. The suspension was reported to be the longest suspension related to in-game misconduct in modern NFL history, dwarfing the previous record of five games handed to
Albert Haynesworth for stomping on
Andre Gurode's head in 2006. The league contended that Vilma and defensive end
Will Smith aided Williams in starting the alleged program in 2009. Vilma found out about the suspension when it was announced on
SportsCenter, immediately announced his intent to appeal and adamantly denied that he was involved in any sort of bounty scheme. Vilma filed a personal slander suit against Roger Goodell. Opinions about the suspensions were divided, as alleged targets like Favre and
Kurt Warner claimed that incentive programs were part of the game, which was corroborated by former players interviewed by
Sports Illustrated. On July 26, Vilma and seven witnesses from the Saints (along with a sworn affidavit from
Drew Brees) testified to a federal judge in New Orleans that NFL commissioner
Roger Goodell misrepresented the facts in the league's investigation. Vilma's suspension was overturned on September 7, and he was reinstated for the 2012 season. The
Associated Press reported Goodell's disappointment in the determination of the arbitration board's ruling. On October 9, 2012, the league again suspended Vilma, Browns linebacker
Scott Fujita, Saints defensive end Will Smith and free-agent defensive end
Anthony Hargrove. Vilma's suspension lasted throughout the entire 2012 season, but he was allowed to retain his paychecks (when he was on the Physically Unable to Perform list) for the first six weeks of the season. The suspensions were then reviewed by former NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue, who overruled Roger Goodell and vacated the suspensions on December 11, 2012. Vilma continued his defamation lawsuit against commissioner Goodell, but it was ultimately dismissed in January 2013. In total, Vilma played in 11 games during the 2012 season.
2013 Vilma underwent knee surgery during the preseason and was placed on the Reserve/Injured Designated for Return list, with the hope that he would recover in time to play during the season. He was reactivated for the Saints' eighth game, a 26–20 loss to his former team, the New York Jets, and was in the game for only 12 defensive snaps. The following week, he was again placed on injured reserve, ending his 2013 season.
2014 On February 12, 2014, Vilma's contract was not renewed with the New Orleans Saints. He became a guest analyst on
Bleacher Report. Vilma officially retired from football, and was honored by the Saints before their home game on December 6, 2015. Vilma was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame on October 29, 2017. ==NFL career statistics==