Muhammad Wilkerson, Jets Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

Muhammad Wilkerson has rapidly developed into one of the NFL's best defensive linemen, and now he has a contract to match.

The New York Jets announced they have signed the Pro Bowler to a five-year contract extension after franchising him in March. The Jets passed along a picture of Wilkerson inking his new deal:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the deal is worth $86 million over the five years, with $37 million guaranteed. According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the contract includes a $15 million signing bonus, $36.75 million in guarantees and a $53.5 million injury guarantee. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the contract is worth $54 million over the first three seasons. 

"I give my all every Sunday on the field and play with so much love and passion for the game," Wilkerson said on Twitter. "I'm thankful for everything that comes my way and proud to say I'm back on the green and white for a few more years."

Rumors swirled regarding a potential trade as the two sides struggled to reach a long-term deal, but general manager Mike Maccagnan put an end to the speculation at the draft and was ultimately able to reach common ground.

A 2011 first-round draft pick out of Temple, Wilkerson has become a dominant 3-4 defensive end. In 2015 he registered 64 tackles and a career-high 12 sacks. He didn't miss a beat during the transition from Rex Ryan to Todd Bowles at head coach.

In five NFL seasons, Wilkerson has played 77 out of a possible 80 games, missing just three contests in 2014. He did suffer a broken leg in the finale of the 2015 regular season, but it isn't expected to impact his status for 2016.

That's positive news for the Jets; he has racked up a total of 36.5 career sacks, making him arguably the best pass-rushing 3-4 end in football aside from J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans.

Per Brian Costello of the New York Post, Bowles gained a great appreciation for Wilkerson after watching him nearly lead the Jets to the playoffs this past season:

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I knew he was a great player. ... Like I said, I don't think the season gets counted up on sacks. The sacks help out a lot, but I knew he was a great player. I expected him to play like this. Not knowing him or having coached him, you get a feel as you go along, but we knew Mo was capable of doing these types of things. ... He comes to work every day. He understands game situations. He's been the leader for us over there on defense, and he comes out to play. When there's a play to be made, somehow Mo steps up and makes it.

"

While Wilkerson is immensely talented in his own right, his huge jump in productivity beginning in 2013 was partly due to the arrival of defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. The Missouri product had 77 tackles in his first NFL season and helped open things up for Wilkerson in a big way.

In fact, the NFL Network's Brian Billick views Wilkerson and Richardson as one of the NFL's most dominant defensive line duos:

Simply put, Wilkerson makes those around him better. Opposing offenses have to game-plan for him so vigorously that it naturally opens up opportunities for others. In addition to that, Wilkerson still makes plays in his own right even when facing double- or triple-teams.

Defense has been the Jets' calling card since Ryan took over as head coach, and that continues to be true under Bowles. With Wilkerson's future secure, New York can work on further improving the offense and getting back into playoff contention again next season and beyond.

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