The New York Jets and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson "haven't come close to a new contract," and the organization plans to place the franchise tag on their former first round pick, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has many important free agent decisions to make this offseason including the quarterback position.
The Jets are looking to sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason, and the feeling is that they will be able to work out a long-term deal, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. While there is a reported belief that the Jets will be able to lock up Fitzpatrick, Wilkerson is a different story, as the team will have to spend more than $15 million to place the tag on him for the 2016 season.
The Jets defensive end was a force this season recording a career high 12 sacks and forcing two fumbles. The Jets have arguably one of the best young defensive lines in the NFL with players like defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and defensive end Leonard Williams, and head coach Todd Bowles looks to have the team moving in the right direction after posting a 10-6 record in his first season in New York.
While the Jets front office's plan is to place the franchise tag on Wilkerson, they could still look to trade him before next season, according to Cimini. It would be a difficult move for the Jets front office to pull off, as it will require another franchise to agree to Wilkerson's contract demands and require that organization to surrender compensation to the Jets.
The 2016 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented defensive linemen, which will only make it more difficult to deal Wilkerson in a tag-and-trade situation. One team to keep an eye on is the Oakland Raiders, as they have shown interest in Wilkerson and could still look to work out a trade despite him being placed under the franchise tag, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.
Pass rushers have always been considered crucial pieces for teams in the NFL, but following Super Bowl 50 and the Denver Broncos' dominant defensive performance, general managers are definitely taking notice. It's unknown how it will play out with Wilkerson in New York, but once they have placed the franchise tag on him, they will only have until July 15 to try and workout a long-term deal.
