Jets Rumors: Latest Muhammad Wilkerson Update
Recent New York Jets rumors make it seem like very little progress is being made on the Muhammad Wilkerson front.
New York Jets rumors have remained persistent with the NFL Draft right around the corner. But, the rumors have led to little more than smoke. Rumors involving the progress of negotiations with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have provided nothing fruitful, as the two sides seem to be in a standoff currently. Can the same be said for the situation involving the Jets and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson?
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The situation with Wilkerson is slightly different than the one with Fitzpatrick because Wilkerson has had the franchsie tag slapped on him. He has not yet signed that tender, and probably will not until he has to. Despite the difference in their standing with the team, as Wilkerson is currently Jets’ property and Fitzpatrick is free to sign anywhere, their negotiations with the Jets are in the same place.
According to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com, Jets’ general manager Mike Maccagnan was asked two questions, the first being if any progress has been made towards a long-term deal with Wilkerson. The second was if the Jets are actively shopping Wilkerson in hopes of trading him. Both of the answers that he provided gave very little insight to what is going on, as it seems that the Jets and Wilkerson are at the same place they were weeks ago.
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In regards to the first question, Cosentino said that Maccagnan declined to comment directly about the negotiations with Wilkerson in regards to a long-term contract. In regards to the question about if the Jets are actively shopping Wilkerson, he also gave a round about, indirect answer, saying they are “not actively shopping” Wilkerson because they weren’t “out there trying to cold-call 31 teams” with trade offers.
Well, that is a whole lot of nothing from the Jets general manager, but it is not surprising. The Jets haven’t seemed overly interested in working out a long-term deal at this time, as they have to still get Fitzpatrick under center. But, things could change once the July 15th deadline starts getting closer.
As for the trade comments, the rest of the NFL knows that Wilkerson is available. The Jets have made no secret that they would like to trade him, and there were even rumors about the Jets inquiring about trading up to the No.1 overall pick with the Tennessee Titans before the St. Louis Rams completed a trade for the pick.
But, the other thing to take away from the limited action on the trade front is that there may just be no takers for Wilkerson at this point. A tag-and-trade is not easy to execute, as there aren’t many teams with cap space willing to trade a top pick for Wilkerson.
While he may be a top defensive end in the NFL, that is a lot to give up in a deal. Because of that, they may lower their package to be traded to the Jets, but if the Jets do not receive what they are looking for in a deal, they would just hold onto Wilkerson. Not to mention, Wilkerson is also recovering from a broken leg; he is expected to be ready for the season but that can’t help the Jets chances of moving him.
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With the draft three days away, the Jets are running out of time to find a trade partner for Wilkerson. It will not be an easy task, as they will probably have to lower their demands if they want to move him. But, it would make little sense to move him if they do not get what they are looking for, so expect Wilkerson to remain a Jet through the draft unless they are blown away with an offer, or really begin working those phones pushing for a trade.