NFL free agency update: Muhammad Wilkerson to sign with Green Bay Packers
By Mike Dyce
The Green Bay Packers have remained active in the tampering window and made a big move to shore up their defense by signing Muhammad Wilkerson.
The Green Bay Packers have been one of the most active teams in the tampering window, agreeing to terms with tight end Jimmy Graham and releasing wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Now they’ve made their second big acquisition, agreeing to a deal with defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, according to Rob Demovsky.
Wilkerson visited with the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints in addition to the Packers. Former New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine joining the Packers’ coaching staff could’ve been the deciding factor for Wilkerson if his offers all amounted to one-year prove it deals, like the contract he signed with Green Bay. Considering the sheer quantity of teams Wilkerson visited, it is safe to assume he wasn’t getting many multi-year offers to his liking.
The Packers were the first Wilkerson visited before exploring options with the Redskins, Chiefs and Saints.
Contract details
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it’s a single year deal between the Packers and Wilkerson. Wilerson is set to earn $5 million, plus another $3 million in incentives.
Mo Wilkerson's deal with the #Packers is one year, $5 million plus $3M in incentives, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2018
National reaction
Muhammad Wilkerson. Kenny Clark. Mike Daniels. #Wow https://t.co/WexWTnxpnH
— Marques Eversoll (@MarquesEversoll) March 14, 2018
Jimmy Graham and Mo Wilkerson. Yeah, Gute's Green Bay Packers are a little different.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 14, 2018
Next: 2018 NFL Free Agent Tracker
Grade
Re-uniting with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was a smart move on Wilkerson’s part. When Pettine was running the Jets’ defense, Wilkerson was a dominant force. While he wasn’t his dominant self recently, the reunion could fix that. Wilkerson is still relatively young at just 28-years-old. With what is basically a one-year prove it deal, Wilkerson was wise to align himself with a defensive coordinator who knows how to maximize his potential instead of risking it all with a new coaching staff who might be ineffective in getting the most out of Wilkerson.
For the Packers, they shore up a defensive front that needed help. Wilkerson will be a disruptive force against both the run and pass in a division that is growing increasingly competitive with the addition of Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings.
Grade: B+