Jets, Muhammad Wilkerson reach 5-year deal prior to deadline
The New York Jetssigned veteran defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson to a new five-year contract prior to Friday's deadline, the team announced.
The deadline to sign long-term deals was 4 p.m. ET Friday. The Jets announced the signing on Twitter at 4:33 p.m.
Wilkerson, 26, received the Jets' non-exclusive franchise tag (worth $15,701,000) on March 1. He was allowed to negotiate with other teams but any club that signed him would have had to surrender two first-round picks to the Jets.
He made his first Pro Bowl last season after leading the Jets with 12 sacks, a career high. He broke his right leg (fibula) in the final game, requiring surgery a few days later -- a six-month rehab, according to team officials.
After being examined by Charlotte-based orthopedist Robert Anderson in mid-February, Wilkerson tweeted an update, saying he was ahead of schedule in his rehab.
The sub-plot to his successful career -- 36.5 sacks in five seasons -- has been an ongoing contract drama. Unhappy without a long-term deal, Wilkerson skipped the voluntary workouts last offseason. He reported to training camp, but informed the organization that he didn't want to negotiate once the regular season started.
Even with an artificial deadline, the two sides didn't come close to an agreement. Wilkerson played for $7 million, the amount of his predetermined, fifth-year option.
Wilkerson, a first-round pick in 2011, has been a starter since Day 1. Technically, he's a 3-4 defensive end, but he can play any position on the defensive line, adding to his value.
In 16 games last season, he recorded 64 tackles and two forced fumbles. He grew up in Linden, New Jersey, about 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium.
Wilkerson has said he was undecided on if he'd report to training camp with the Jets. He told the New York Post last month that he felt unwanted by the team, and he skipped the team's offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp.
He made his first Pro Bowl last season after leading the Jets with 12 sacks, a career high. He broke his right leg (fibula) in the final game, requiring surgery a few days later -- a six-month rehab, according to team officials.
After being examined by Charlotte-based orthopedist Robert Anderson in mid-February, Wilkerson tweeted an update, saying he was ahead of schedule in his rehab.
The sub-plot to his successful career -- 36.5 sacks in five seasons -- has been an ongoing contract drama. Unhappy without a long-term deal, Wilkerson skipped the voluntary workouts last offseason. He reported to training camp, but informed the organization that he didn't want to negotiate once the regular season started.
Even with an artificial deadline, the two sides didn't come close to an agreement. Wilkerson played for $7 million, the amount of his predetermined, fifth-year option.
Wilkerson, a first-round pick in 2011, has been a starter since Day 1. Technically, he's a 3-4 defensive end, but he can play any position on the defensive line, adding to his value.
In 16 games last season, he recorded 64 tackles and two forced fumbles. He grew up in Linden, New Jersey, about 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium.
ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini contributed to this report.
