New Jets head coach Todd Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan have wasted no time putting their mark on what had become the also-ran New York NFL franchise in recent seasons.
From trading for Brandon Marshall to signing Darrelle Revis to a mega free agent contract to extending David Harris, Bowles and Maccagnan have continually served notice since their arrival that this is their Jets team and they're going to reshape it in their own image.
While no major veteran holdovers from the previous regime have yet been jettisoned, it seems that Bowles and Maccagnan are at least entertaining the notion of sending at least one packing, as a recent report suggest that teams have begun calling the Jets brass about the availability of defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.
"At least two teams, possibly more, have approached NY Jets about trading for Muhammad Wilkerson, per league source. Bears watching Thursday," Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted.
Wilkerson, 25, is sent to enter his fifth NFL season. Wilkerson is set to make approximately $7 million for next year after New York picked up the fifth-year option on his contract earlier this offseason.
Wilkerson though is seeking a long-term deal and has thus far avoided voluntary Jets offseason workouts. After watching free agents like Revis, Antonio Cromartie and fellow Jets holdover Harris cash in, Wilkerson reportedly feels as though he's due a nice raise as well.
Wilkerson has yet to make a Pro Bowl, but has turned himself into one of the NFL's most versatile, dominant defenders. He finished last season - a down year for the entire Jets team and especially the defense - with 55 tackles, one forced fumble, 5.5 sacks and five passes defensed.
Even more impressively, he did all that work in just 13 games.
In 2013, Wilkerson was able to amass 63 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and three passes defensed. Were it not for Houston's J.J. Watt, Wilkerson would likely be viewed as the best 3-4 defensive end in the league.
While it's unlikely Bowles and Maccagnan would part ways with such a major defensive piece, if the offer is intriguing enough, it may at least give the new Jets brass something to think about.
