Muhammad Wilkerson Contract: Latest News, Rumors on DE's Negotiations with Jets

The New York Jets and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson signed a new deal just moments before Friday's deadline.

Continue for updates.

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Wilkerson, Jets Agree to New Contract

Friday, July 15

The Jets announced they had signed Wilkerson to a multiyear deal, while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added the new contract was expected to pay upward of $17 million a year. 

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Jets Expected to Make Late Push for Wilkerson

Saturday, July 9

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported a source close to Wilkerson expects the Jets to make a final push to sign the defensive end before the July 15 deadline for teams to negotiate long-term contracts with franchise-tagged players.

However, on Thursday, Dom Cosentino of NJ.com reported the Jets were not discussing a long-term contract with Wilkerson, despite the approaching deadline. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement by that date, the only offer Wilkerson could sign would be the $15.7 million franchise tag. However, he still could hold out to protest his situation, according to NJ Advance Media's Darryl Slater (via Cosentino).

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Wilkerson Comments on Negotiations

Friday, June 17

"I feel like I deserve it, a new deal, but I understand it's a business," Wilkerson said, per Cosentino. "My focus right now is rehabbing the leg and getting ready. I'm surprised, frustrated, but what can I do? What can I say?"

Wilkerson made similar comments on June 16, saying, "It's shocking. It's frustrating," per Brian Costello of the New York Post. He continued:

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Because I feel like I've earned it and I deserve it. It would be different if I was just a mediocre player. I feel like each and every week I'm dominating and it's showing. The stats speak for themselves. Basically, what more do I need to do? You know what I mean? ...

Do I feel that they want me back? As of right now, no. I don't feel like they want me. I'm a talented guy. Everybody knows that. I feel like they're going to get the best they can out of me and just let me go. That's how I feel. Do I like that feeling? No. I'm a New Jersey guy, born and raised and would love to raise my family here.

"

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Wilkerson Not Medically Cleared

Thursday, June 16

Jets head coach Todd Bowles said even if Wilkerson does report to the first day of camp, he is unlikely to be cleared to practice due to a leg injury, per Darryl Slater of NJ.com.

On Tuesday, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reported the Pro Bowler is expected to skip mandatory minicamp, and he reportedly may not report when training camp starts in July, as he has no interest in signing his franchise tender.

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Bowles Comments on Wilkerson

Thursday, June 2

When asked recently about the prospects of signing Wilkerson to a long-term deal prior to the July 15 deadline, Bowles was both hopeful and noncommittal, per Cimini:

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We want to come to an agreement -- we want to sign all our good players -- but that doesn't always work out. I'm not saying we are or aren't. Obviously, you want to keep your good players around, but with the rules these days, they make it very hard after four or five years to keep your own. So we've got to try to finagle and find ways to do that and have enough money to try to do so.

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Wilkerson Important to Jets' Defensive Success

The 2011 first-round pick out of Temple is coming off the best season of his five-year career, as he registered 64 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles.

He broke his leg in the final game of the 2015 campaign but has missed just three NFL matchups in his career and has been among the league's most consistent, reliable and dominant defensive forces.

The heat was turned up on the Jets and Wilkerson's cause was simultaneously helped Monday when the Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive lineman Fletcher Cox to a six-year, $103 million contract with $63 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan.

They do have impressive depth with Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams still in place, but Wilkerson is undoubtedly among the top 3-4 defensive ends in football.

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