Packers free agency rumors: Muhammad Wilkerson to make visit
The New York Jets have no use for him, but Muhammad Wilkerson is in line for immediate interest from the Green Bay Packers.
After a 2015 season where he had 12 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl nod, the New York Jets gave Muhammad Wilkerson a five-year, $86 million deal. But two seasons of poor production and behind the scenes headaches have forced the team’s hand, and Wilkerson will but cut.
The move has not yet been officially made by the Jets after being reported last week, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has reported it is coming on Monday. Once he is free, the Green Packers are expected to have Wilkerson in for a visit.
There’s a fairly significant tie pointing Wilkerson toward Green Bay. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine held the same role for the Jets from 2009-12, which overlapped with Wilkerson’s first two NFL seasons after he was drafted 30th overall in 2011.
Despite announcing it last week, the #Jets haven’t officially released DE Muhammad Wilkerson yet. That should happen today... and I’m told his first free agent visit is likely to be with the #Packers. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine could help rejuvenate his career.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2018
Two notes: 1. Pettine coached Wilkerson in 2011 & ‘12 and helped groom him into a Pro Bowler. 2. Because he’s cut, it won’t affect the #Packers compensatory pick formula https://t.co/zHD1U5Qz5f
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2018
The Packers can use some help across their defense. They finished last season 22nd in total defense, while being similarly bad against the pass (23rd), against the run (17th) and in points allowed (24th). They were in the middle of the pack in sacks with 37, with 25 of those coming from four guys (Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark).
However, Green Bay was a top-10 defense in terms of yards per attempt (3.9) on the ground in 2017. But 464 attempts against (tied for eighth-most in the league) drove volume to put them barely in the bottom half of the league against the run.
A properly motivated Wilkerson can help the Packers as a pass rusher and a run defender. That player would also be a substantial upgrade over Dean Lowry as the starting right defensive end in their base 3-4.
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But the question is if Wilkerson will be sufficiently humbled by the Jets cutting him just two years into a significant contract. He’ll have to try to answer that in an initial visit to Green Bay, with Pettine sure to have input in the decision about signing him.