The Jets haven’t had defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson at the first two phases of their offseason program and there’s no change expected when the third phase kicks off on Tuesday.
The team will hold the first of their 10 organized team activities, voluntary practices that allow for the first 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 field work for veteran players this offseason. Wilkerson desires a new contract that both extends beyond this year and pays him more than the $6.97 million that he’s currently set to make and he’s not subject to fines unless he should skip the team’s mandatory minicamp next month.
It’s unclear whether that’s on the table, but Wilkerson’s absence should allow rookie Leonard Williams more looks with the first-team defensive line during the OTA period. The team has said that Williams’s arrival in the first round has no impact on Wilkerson’s future with the franchise, although strong early showings from Williams probably wouldn’t do much to help Wilkerson gain leverage in any contract talks.
That said, the Jets still aren’t paying top dollar for a quarterback and that leaves room to spend money elsewhere while waiting for that kind of franchise quarterback to show up to lead the offense. That should make it easier to make everything work out in a way that keeps everyone on the defensive line in place for at least the next couple of years, even as Wilkerson continues to work out on his own this spring.
