The New York Jets and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson should have split up a long time ago. The Pro Bowl pass-rusher is looking for a lucrative long-term extension. But the best the Jets can do is offer him the one-year franchise tag. The only way to make both sides happy is to trade Wilkerson so that he can finally score the top-dollar deal of his dreams and so that the Jets won't lose him without receiving any compensation.
The simple fact of the matter is that if the Jets don't trade Wilkerson before tomorrow's NFL Draft kicks off, they will have missed their window to maximize their return. But New York seems to realize this, even if it isn't making it public knowledge
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan revealed last week that New York did indeed call the Tennessee Titans to gauge their interest in moving the No. 1 overall pick. Any such deal would have undoubtedly involved Wilkerson. Unfortunately for the Jets, the Rams beat them to the punch.
"We're not actively going out there trying to cold-call 31 teams and ask them if they have an interested in trading for a player," Maccagnan said.
Right, and I'm sure the GM is calling up Santa Claus as a potential replacement for D'Brickashaw Ferguson as left tackle.
There are a handful of teams Wilkerson would reportedly "love" to play for, including the 49ers, Bills, Patriots, Dolphins and practically any other franchise willing to give him what he wants.
"Do I feel that I'm underpaid right now? Yeah," Wilkerson said last year. "But that's part of the business. My time will come when I get a new contract."
Wilkerson has yet to sign his $15.7 million franchise tag tender, and he has not been present for the Jets' voluntary offseason program. The best-case scenario for all parties involved is that New York either uses Wilkerson as a bargaining chip to trade up into the first-round for a quarterback they like or it moves him for multiple pick this year. Either way, the time to move Wilkerson is right now.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
