Jets Officially Release Muhammad Wilkerson

The Jets are finally, officially, parting ways with Muhammad Wilkerson. Gang Green formally released the defensive lineman on Monday, per a team announcement.

Wilkerson’s exit from New York has been long anticipated, particularly since the Jets notified him of their plans to cut him over the winter. Once a hard-working and highly-productive member of the Jets’ defensive line, Wilkerson’s drive to succeed and production tanked after signing a five-year, $86MM extension with the team in the summer of 2016.

Last year, things came to a head when Wilkerson was openly subordinate towards Jets coaches and tardy for multiple team functions. In December, the Jets benched the defensive lineman for the first quarter of their game against the Chiefs. The Jets went on to upset KC without one of their highest-paid players on the field at the outset.

Wilkerson’s $16.75MM salary was set to go from guaranteed against injury to fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year. Gang Green will carry $9MM in dead money by releasing the 28-year-old Wilkerson. Meanwhile, Wilkerson leaves New York after pocketing $36.75MM from his ill-fated extension.

Wilkerson shouldn’t have any trouble finding a new deal on the open market, and he’s reportedly already lined up a visit with the Packers, who now employ former Jets defensive coordinator in the same role. Notably, Wilkerson will not count against the 2019 compensatory pick formula given that he was released.

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