The Jets have been hesitant to give a lucrative contract extension to Muhammad Wilkerson. Could they trade him instead?
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The New York Jets have reportedly received calls from several NFL teams about the availability of star DE Muhammad Wilkerson.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Jets had received at least two calls from other NFL teams inquiring about the former All-Pro defensive lineman.
At least two teams, possibly more, have approached NY Jets about trading for Muhammad Wilkerson, per league source. Bares watching Thursday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2015
A first-round draft pick by the Jets in 2011, Wilkerson is currently working out on his own, away from the Jets voluntary offseason workouts in large part because he is seeking a contract extension with the team. The Jets exercised their fifth year option on Wilkerson last year and he is heading into the final year of his rookie contract from 2011.
The Jets have stopped short of giving Wilkerson the new contract after the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins gave upwards of $80 million to top defensive linemen J. J. Watt and Ndamukong Suh respectively.
At a Jets news conference last week, GM Mike Maccagnan stopped short of stating the team’s exact position on having Wilkerson on the team.
“I don’t really want to comment on if I’d like him to be here or not be here,” Maccagnan said. “I’m sure Mo is doing a good job, wherever he is, working out. But again, these are all voluntary, so he’s not required to be here for them.”
In 2013, Wilkerson was named Second-Team All-Pro after recording a career-high 10.5 sacks – the most by any Jets player since John Abraham in 2005. He has frequently been ranked by NFL experts as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.
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