Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets Beat Deadline With Five-Year, $85 Million Deal

Muhammad Wilkerson and the New York Jets would up beating Friday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players to get new deals. The 26-year-old agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract that will keep him in New York through his prime years.

The new deal will pay him $54 million over its first three seasons, and includes $37 million in guarantees. The deal was absolutely shocking considering the two sides hadn’t been discussing an extension recently and it seemed to come from nowhere. Wilkerson had been holding out and refused to sign his $15.7 million franchise tender.

While Von Miller’s new contract got all the headlines, Wilkerson’s deal is enormous for the Jets, who boast one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL. With Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson up front, head coach Todd Bowles should be able to get creative with how he attacks offenses.

Wilkerson was a Pro Bowler in 2015 and is a two-time second-team All-Pro. He’s one of the more fearsome defensive linemen in the NFL and can now officially settle in as a franchise cornerstone with Gang Green.

It is unclear how Wilkerson’s new contract will impact New York’s pursuit of a new deal for Ryan Fitzpatrick, but that will almost certainly be the team’s sole focus now.