Watch CBS News

Wilkerson On WFAN: I Deserved Spot In Pro Bowl

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson thinks the Pro Bowl voters made a mistake by snubbing him for this year's game.

Not like he can change things now. But during the season he certainly made his case as a disruptive force in the trenches with 10 1/2 sacks, 64 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.

It was enough for his teammates to recognize him as the Jets' MVP.

"I felt I should have been (voted in)," Wilkerson told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts during his weekly spot Tuesday. "I should be playing in it."

Muhammad Wilkerson

Wilkerson was named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 26 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

"I can't do nothing about it," he said. "But I'm confident in myself. I played good enough this season to be there."

The 24-year-old also talked about the celebration that erupted Sunday after Jets owner Woody Johnson announced head coach Rex Ryan would return in 2014.

"That was a surprise to everybody," Wilkerson said. "But I can say I believed in Rex, I believed that he was gonna be here."

Wilkerson said the Jets (8-8) hurt themselves at times this season by making mistakes that put them "behind the eight ball," but they can learn and improve based on the ups and downs. New York missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

"It's a team thing, everybody has to all be on the same page," he said. "That's what it was, at times we weren't on the same page. We've just got to make sure we ... communicate better than we did this year."

Wilkerson wouldn't bite when asked about his contract status. He has one more year left on his rookie deal, and general manager John Idzik is expected to try to lock him up to an extension this offseason.

"That has nothing to do with me," Wilkerson said. "John and my agent will handle all of that. I stay out of that stuff."

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.