Report: Jets Putting Wilkerson Talks On Back Burner
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Muhammad Wilkerson may still get his long-term deal from the Jets.
It'll just be awhile, according to the New York Daily News.
The Jets plan to exercise Wilkerson's fifth-year option while they focus instead on free agency and the upcoming draft, the Daily News reported. Teams have until May 3 to use the option, a new wrinkle in the rookie wage scale that was added by the NFL in 2011 for first-round picks.
The fifth-year option doesn't come without risks. Wilkerson's salary would become fully guaranteed if he's injured.
The 24-year-old will make $1.2 million next season and around $5.25 million-$6 million under the fifth-year option in 2015, the Daily News reported.
Wilkerson has said he won't hold out of training camp in order to force a long-term extension. And he didn't sound eager to get his hands dirty in contract talks at the end of last season.
"That has nothing to do with me," Wilkerson told WFAN radio in late December. "(GM John Idzik) and my agent will handle all of that. I stay out of that stuff."
The Jets have had a dialogue with Wilkerson's camp, though a deal this offseason is "unlikely" without some sort of hometown discount, the Daily News reported.
Wilkerson has played in every regular-season game (47 starts) since being drafted 30th overall in 2011.
He was a Pro-Bowl snub in 2014 despite having 10 1/2 sacks, 64 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.
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