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Report: Muhammad Wilkerson holding out on Jets

By Charles Rahrig V

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets helmet on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets helmet on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to reports, New York Jets defensive lineman will not be reporting to off-season workouts as he seeks a new deal.

The New York Jets had an impressive free agency as they re-signed former defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie to add to the defense of new head coach Todd Bowles.

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After throwing out big money to the two cornerbacks, another player on the Jets wants some big money of his own.

According to CBS NFL Insider, Jason La Canfora, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson is skipping off-season workouts while seeking a new deal.

Wilkerson is currently slated to make $7 million this season during his fifth-year option.

La Canfora says that contract talks between Wilkerson and the Jets have not progressed at all.

"Wilkerson’s camp did not immediately return calls for comment, but NFL sources said contract talks have not progressed. Wilkerson is keeping a low profile and working out, but this is a situation worth monitoring after the Jets were one of the league’s heaviest spending teams in free agency, landing free agents like Darrelle Revis ($39M guaranteed at age 29) and Antonio Cromartie, as well as giving agiing linebacker Davis Harris $15M guaranteed and trading for veteran receiver Brandon Marshall, sweetening his contract in the process."

While the Jets struggled offensively in 2014, Wilkerson was a key member of a young defensive unit that wreaked havoc as they got after the quarterback.

In 2014, Wilkerson had 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Jets. He also had a forced fumble.

Wilkerson was drafted in 2011, and like many from the 2011 draft class is seeking a new deal after others in his class have received new deals.

While the workouts he will be skipping aren’t mandatory, the workouts that begin in June are, and at the point, Wilkerson could be fined if he fails to show up and attend.

After pouring a ton of money into the secondary, the Jets will have to give Wilkerson a big pay day as well. In defensive lineman metrics, he ranks near Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt in several categories.

After the money that Watt and other defensive lineman around the league, such as Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy have gotten, Wilkerson wants a big contract of his own and has put on the performances to earn it.

It will be interesting to see if the two sides can come to a deal before off-season workouts ramp up.

[H/T: CBS Sports]

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