Muhammad Wilkerson has been waiting quite some time for that lucrative contract extension he asked the New York Jets for in 2014. Last season, Wilkerson played the good soldier, didn't hold out of offseason activities or training camp, and played very well once the 2015 NFL season rolled around.
But Wilkerson remains without a deal beyond 2016, when New York will pay him $15.701 million, the average of the five highest salaries for defensive tackles. Wilkerson though, has yet to sign the franchise tag the team hit him with as he holds out hope that a new deal can get done.
Unfortunately, it sounds like that big contract isn't coming, at least not from the Jets. Per a recent report, the Jets brass, led by GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles are rolling around at Pro Days, shopping Wilkerson.
Now, finding a taker for the versatile Wilkerson won't be easy. He's likely seeking a mammoth deal and when you add in whatever compensation the Jets will be seeking in exchange for Wilkerson's services, that makes the likelihood of a trade seem slim at best.
Wilkerson though, despite his contract demands, remains one of the most versatile, durable and dependable defensive linemen in the league. This past season Wilkerson collected 64 tackles, 12.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Through his five-year NFL career, Wilkerson has amassed 300 tackles, 36.0 sacks and 9 forced fumbles, all while missing just three regular season games.
He also brings a unique ability to line up in a number of spots across a defensive front.
Put it all together and it makes ample sense that other teams would be interested in acquiring him. And with the Jets drafting Leonard Williams in the first round last year and looking at paying Sheldon Richardson in the not-too-distant future as well, it makes sense that the Jets would look to move on.
But Jets owner Woody Johnson, speaking at the NFL's owner's meetings this week, sounded like a guy who doesn't want to move on from Wilkerson, even as he laments the "amazing" length of contract talks with the big defensive tackle.
Johnson, shortly after saying that he considers Wilkerson a part of the team after the Jets franchised him, added that it comes down to both sides compromising, something that hasn't been easy for either negotiator to do.
"With any player, there has to be a moment where their side and our side are happy, and we feel like we're getting what we want in terms that are acceptable or semi-acceptable to us -- and the same for him," Johnson said. "We just haven't been able to do that."
