New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson returns

On the first day of minicamp for the New York Jets, their defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson was in attendance.

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Wilkerson skipped the Jets’ OTA’s, as he is desires a long-term contract extension. If Wilkerson didn’t show up to minicamp, the Jets could have started fining Wilkerson. It was speculated that Wilkerson would show up to minicamp, but Wilkerson said the decision was made this weekend.

“That was a decision that was made over the weekend with me and my agent to come in and work out with the team and get ready,” Wilkerson said to Brian Costello of the New York Post.

Wilkerson’s agent Chad Wiestling announced the Wilkerson would be attending minicamp this week.

“After much deliberation, Mo will be attending this week’s minicamp,” Wiestling said to Costello. “Mo is and has always been a team-first player, and is willing to put the team ahead of his own contractual status. Mo loves being a member of the Jets and would prefer to finish his career in New York.”

Wilkerson is in the final year of his rookie contract, and has made it known this offseason that he would like a contract extension.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Jets would select Wilkerson with the 30^th overall pick. In four seasons with the Jets, Wilkerson has totaled 24.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, one interception, and 14 passes defended.

In recent years, talented defensive ends J.J. Watt, Jordan Cameron and Robert Quinn have all received large extensions. While Watt is the best defensive end in football, Wilkerson is certainly deserving of a large contract extension.

With Wilkerson’s future with the Jets up in the air, the Jets used the sixth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on Leonard Williams. Many experts believe that Williams is the best overall player in the NFL Draft. While Williams may be a great NFL player, the Jets are wise to not put all their eggs in his basket.

Wilkerson may not like it, but the Jets can keep him for the next two seasons, as they could use their franchise tag on him in 2016. If the Jets do give Wilkerson a contract extension, they will have a dominant defensive line with Wilkerson, Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison.

All four of their defensive lineman are young, which means the Jets could have the best defensive line in football for years to come. General Manager Mike Maccagnan has said that signing Wilkerson is his No.1 priority, and it’s a good sign to see Wilkerson arrive for minicamp.

Next: Who are the Top 5 Jets QBs of all-time?

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