Jets Sign Muhammad Wilkerson To 5-Year Deal Just Before Deadline
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets and All-Pro defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson reached an 11th-hour deal Friday on a long-term contract.
The Jets had placed the franchise tag on Wilkerson, which ensured the 2011 first-round draft pick at least a one-year, $15.7 million contract. Wilkerson, however, expressed a desire to sign a long-term contract, and the two sides faced a 4 p.m. Friday deadline or else Wilkerson would have had to play on the one-year deal or sit out the season.
Wilkerson's deal is for five years, $85 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. The deal includes $37 million in the first two years and $54 million over the first three.
"I'm excited to be back with this great organization for another five years," Wilkerson said in a video posted on the Jets' official Twitter account. "I'm looking forward to great things. Go Jets!"
Wilkerson, who had a career-high 12 sacks last season and has 36½ in his five years, publicly expressed his frustration with the team during the negotiating process, saying he felt disrespected. He also threatened to hold out of training camp.
He has spent the offseason rehabilitating from a broken right leg suffered in the season finale at Buffalo. The injury required surgery in January.
The defensive end position figures to be one of the Jets' strengths this season. The team is also returning fellow first-round picks Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.
