Here’s a look at Gang Green:
- Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson reported to the team facility today (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News). Wilkerson, who has repeatedly been tardy for team functions this year, did arrive at the morning meeting on time. It is expected that the Jets will cut ties with Wilkerson this offseason. He is slated to earn $16.75MM in 2018, but that figure is guaranteed for injury only until the third day of the league year. Therefore, the Jets will probably bench Wilkerson for the final two games of the season to avoid getting stuck with his salary. Meanwhile, the Jets are reportedly considering a reunion with his former trench-mate Sheldon Richardson.
- Wilkerson, who was not allowed to travel with the team for the Jets‘ Week 15 game, has “served his sentence,” coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday (Twitter link via Mehta). Bowles added that the defensive lineman “made a mistake” and the team has “moved on,” but he did not indicate whether Wilkerson will play this week. Again, it would be a surprise if they had him suit up.
- The Jets have about $80MM to spend this offseason, but Brian Costello of the New York Post isn’t sure that GM Mike Maccagnan is the right guy to conduct the spending spree. In 2016, Maccagnan had money to work with and doled out ill-advised deals to Wilkerson (five-year, $86MM) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (one-year, $12MM). Technically, he was also responsible for Darrelle Revis‘ five-year, $70 million deal in 2015, though that was at the behest of owner Woody Johnson. Maccagnan has shown that he can identify talented small-ticket players like Demario Davis, Kony Ealy, and Jermaine Kearse, but it remains to be seen whether he can get it right with major dollars involved.