New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson and his sad downfall

New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson’s fall from grace has been disappointing.

After selecting Muhammad Wilkerson in the first round of the 2011 draft, the New York Jets believed they had a budding superstar, and they did. Wilkerson was getting better every season, recording 10+ sacks in two out of his first five seasons. His twelve sack performance in 2015 earned him his first and only Pro Bowl appearance to date. Wilkerson was one of the league’s brightest stars.

It all changed after the final game of the 2015 season when he broke his leg. Wilkerson worked hard to get back on the field but things were never the same.

During the ensuing offseason, Wilkerson received the money he had been waiting for, signing a five-year $86 million contract (via Spotrac). He responded by having his sack total in 2016 drop from 12 to 4.5. Wilkerson dropped in every measurable statistic. However he did have a built-in excuse. He was still recovering from what was acknowledged as a pretty serious leg break. Many gave him the year to get back to full strength.

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2016 has not been kind to Wilkerson either. He was part of what was supposed to be the strongest unit on the team, yet he has posted only 3.5 sacks. Wilkerson has just not been the same force that he once was.

That isn’t even the biggest issue. The bigger problem is the issue of being irresponsible. If you look around social media there are many clips where Wilkerson appears to have given up on plays. Nobody roots for a player that doesn’t try.

The problem has grown off the field as well. Per the NY Post, he has been late many times throughout the tenure of Todd Bowles. The last straw was this past week when the Jets left Wilkerson home from the New Orleans game because of another problem with lateness.

Is the jig finally up for Muhammad Wilkerson?

It appears that it just may be. At his Monday press conference (per team press release), coach Bowles indicated that their were internal issues to work through and wouldn’t commit to Wilkerson returning to practice/playing. In the quest to figure out whether or not this team suspension was a one and done, that’s a very telling answer. It tells us that the coach has had enough.

If the Jets are truly done with Wilkerson, it makes the most sense from a business standpoint to end his season now. If he sustains a serious injury, the Jets would be on the hook for his entire 2018 salary but with no injury, he can be cut prior to the third day of the league year without cost. Coach Bowles stated that many sources will take part in this decision. Christopher Johnson is likely to be one of them. If they have decided that Wilkerson is out, he will certain err on the business side.

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It really is a shame. We always talk about players that fall off the pace once they make their money. Nobody thought Wilkerson was going to be one of those guys but it looks like he is. Never once did former coach Rex Ryan worry about Wilkerson (via Rich Cimini of ESPN). It seems like he changed and not for the better. Hopefully it works out in the long run.