The NY Jets are coming into OTA workouts with Geno Smith as the starter over Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty and Chris Simms at quarterback and he could push to start the season if he plays well and this comes as New York may consider a Muhammad Wilkerson trade this summer as the defensive lineman stays away from team activities with a contract issue after the drafting of Leonard Williams.
The Jets have a new head coach and general manager in Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan and they have not been afraid of making moves this offseason. The team traded for Brandon Marshall and signed back Darrelle Revis and now they could look at moving Wilkerson if he continues to have a contract dispute. According to NFL.com, Wilkerson is expected to stay away from OTA workouts this week and his future remains up in the air as he waits to get a new contract.
The Jets are coming into OTA workouts with Geno Smith as the starter and while that doesn't mean he will open the season on top of the depth chart, he has the chance to prove himself. According to NFL.com, Bowles said that Smith will take the most reps with the first team offense, as Ryan Fitzpatrick is dealing with an injury and Petty is coming in as a rookie.
Smith had some solid starts last season for the Jets and clearly Bowles is not ready to give up on him this year. Fitzpatrick will likely get a leg up in training camp if he is healthy, but Smith is going to get a chance to prove himself. The offense should be better with Devin Smith coming in as a second round pick and Marshall should be a strong number two or three receiver in most sets.
Fitzpatrick was acquired in a trade with the Texans and he should end up competing with Smith to start in training camp once he is healthy. The Jets defense should continue to be strong with Bowles coming in and after adding Williams in the draft. Williams looks ready to start and Revis looks ready to set up his island in New York once again after a Super Bowl win in New England.
Reports heading into the draft had the Jets considering a trade for Wilkerson, but they did not want to give him up for less than a third round pick. After the drafting of Leonard Williams, many speculated that Wilkerson could be on his way out, but Maccagnan said the pick of Williams has nothing to do with Wilkerson. Williams was an easy pick, as he came in ranked as the best defensive player in the draft by many scouts and he was asking for it at number six.
Pro Football Talk writes that Wilkerson is looking for more years and more money, as he is making just under $7 million and is a free agent in 2016. The report says that Wilkerson is looking for "at least" $40 million in guarantees in his next deal and all this comes as he has stayed away from the first six weeks of the off-season program. Wilkerson could come back and play and be fine, but right now he is staying away and that puts hi future up in the air a bit.