It’s been expected for some time that the Jets would use the franchise tag on defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, although it wasn’t clear if they’d use the exclusive or non-exclusive variety of the tag before Tuesday afternoon’s deadline.
According to multiple reports, the paperwork has been filed with the league to officially place the tag on Wilkerson and it is the non-exclusive variety. That means Wilkerson will make $15.7 million if he plays out the season under the terms of the tag and that other teams can approach him with offers, although the Jets can match and would receive two first-round picks from the raiding team in the event they don’t match.
The two sides can also work out a long-term deal, something that would likely help the Jets gain more space under the cap by spreading out a signing bonus over the life of the deal. Given how little progress there’s been toward such a deal, it seems unlikely they’ll agree to one before the start of free agency so any cap space they will need to hold onto defensive tackle Damon Harrison or quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will probably have to come from somewhere else.
There’s been some talk about the Jets trying to trade Wilkerson as well, a scenario that will obviously take a willing partner and would likely be a sign that the Jets believe their defense can thrive while building around Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams up front.
