New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson may be right after all

New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson may have been right about “earning” after all.

There is never a dull moment when it comes to the New York Jets. For most teams this would just be another year of not making the playoffs. For the Gang Green there is always something more. There is always some issue going on within the team that clouds whatever might have happened on the field. It what makes it a very uneasy process, at times, to be a Jets fan.

As we all know by now, this year it’s the situation with Muhammad Wilkerson. He has apparently had some difficulty with team rules and most recently ended up with him being suspended from the game against the Saints. At this point we don’t know whether or not Wilkerson will play again in a Jets uniform, though the assumption is that it isn’t very likely.

On Thursday, Wilkerson made it more interesting when, in response to questions about his contract, he responded by saying (via the Daily News):

"“I feel like I’ve earned everything I have gotten,” said Wilkerson, who practiced fully Wednesday."

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The knee-jerk reaction is that he must be out of his mind. How could he say such a thing? He hasn’t earned a thing in 2017! But if you look at the contract differently, one could argue that Mo is right. It doesn’t mean he has been any good of late though.

Confused? I’ll explain.

Let’s start back at Temple University since Wilkerson said he has earned “everything”. In three years, he posted 144 tackles, 26 TFLs, 17 sacks, eight passes defended and a forced fumble.

These are great stats, no doubt. Take a look, however, at his NFL Draft profile and there is an interesting comment:

"Strengths: Wilkerson’s a prototypical blend of height, bulk and speed for a defensive tackle or five-technique. Dominant against the run. Has great get off, holds up at the point of attack, shows outstanding ability to shed, and very good closing burst to the ball. Very effective power bull rusher. Has good hands. Good stamina.Weaknesses: Hard to point out weaknesses in his game. Does not possess elite initial quickness off the ball as a pass rusher or penetrating against the run but still good in this area. Shows some nastiness on occasion but would like to see him play with a more consistent mean streak."

Consistent mean streak, to me, indicates a guy that doesn’t always put in the same level of effort. Interesting that it was noted during the draft process. With that, you take his talent and combine it with his inconsistent attitude and you have the 30th pick of the first round in 2011. Immense talent but inconsistent effort. You are right Mo, you earned what you got.

We fast forward to the end of his rookie contract. Looking back at the end of the 2012 season, Wilkerson had just come off of a 12 sack performance, and two years prior he posted 10.5 sacks. None of us are happy about his contract now, but if we think back, we all were crying for the Jets to just pay Mo already. When do you earn a new contract? In the years leading up to signing it. So, by playing well over his first five seasons, Muhammad Wilkerson did, in fact, earn the contract.

Right again, Mo.

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Now we come to the present. The knee-jerk reaction, again, is to talk about how Wilkerson hasn’t earned his money over the last two seasons. Look at it another way. Wilkerson HAS earned what is coming next. He has earned his suspension, and he has earned the right to be cut after two years of a five-year contract.

So Mo, you were right. You’ve earned what you got, and you’ve earned what’s coming to you. Take that.

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