New York Jets Hold Leverage in Muhammad Wilkerson Standoff

The New York Jets have enough talent on the defensive line to play hardball with defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. When will the contract dispute end?

Based on production, New York Jets defensive endMuhammad Wilkersondeserves a $100 million contract with mostly guaranteed cash. He’s totaled 36.5 sacks, 21 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and even scored a touchdown in his five-year career.

Yet, general manager Mike Maccagnan continues to play hardball with his best defensive player.

Why?

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For starters, the Jets would have to manipulate salaries to pay Wilkerson long term with ample guaranteed money. Currently, the team has slightly over $3 million in cap space, perspotrac.com. Then, you have quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrickalso waiting for the front office to heighten the wager at the negotiating table after his career year.

Most importantly, the Jets have enough talent up to go on without Wilkerson.

According toESPN’s Rich Cimini, the sixth-year defensive end may miss training camp to express his dissatisfaction with non-existent contract talks.

Coincidently, this report came after ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced Philadelphia Eagles defensive linemanFletcher Cox’s groundbreaking six-year, $103 million deal with $63 million guaranteed:

Wilkerson’s anger likely grew tenfold when he saw another organization reward their productive interior pass-rusher and rightfully so.

Cox entered the league a year after Wilkerson. When forecast averaging his stats into his fifth year, the Jets defensive lineman will still likely have better numbers.

Wilkerson has been patient with contract talks to no avail in actually signing on the dotted line for long-term compensation. Unfortunately for him, New York picked up his potential replacement in the first round of the 2015 draft.

Defensive linemanLeonard Williamsunexpectedly fell to Gang Green at No. 6. He was projected to come off the board within the first five picks. However, the Oakland Raiders selected wideoutAmari Cooperat No. 4. The Washington Redskins needed an offensive lineman and choseBrandon Scherffat No. 5. New York selected the best player available in Williams.

The USC standout didn’t provide a roster need but gave the Jets an alternative in case contract talks with Wilkerson soured over time—and it’s gone south pretty quickly.

Of course, the Jets want Wilkerson on the field. However, the team still has two top-15 picks between Williams andSheldon Richardsonon the defensive line. The defense could still wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines with both promising talents rushing the pocket.

In the previous season, Williams started 15 games and logged three sacks. The Jets expect him to take a sophomore leap in the upcoming season.

New York has already exercised the option on Richardson’s contract. He’s viewed as a more valuable piece compared to Wilkerson, perNew York Daily Newsreporter Manish Mehta. It seems the Jets would strive harder to hand the $100 million over to Richardson in 2017.

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The Jets have their starting defensive ends intact whether Wilkerson decides to join the team or not. He deserves the money, but New York has the talent and lack of funds, which justifies the front office’s hard stance on a lucrative payout.

As Cimini noted in his report above, Wilkerson will avoid a fine for skipping on training camp without a signed franchise-tag tender. Though more expensive, the team can franchise tag the defensive end next year as well.

At this point, Wilkerson would delay the inevitable in playing for the Jets for another season. At best, he avoids running around in the hot sun during summer practices.

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