The New York Jets will be cash-strapped in the offseason which means not everyone is going to earn a contract extension. The Jets have some of their biggest names on expiring deals and will have to make some key decisions heading into 2016. The defense will highlight those decisions as Muhammad Wilkerson ended a contract year with a broken leg.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, Wilkerson will begin the offseason with surgery after suffering a fracture in his right leg. There is reportedly no timetable for his return as it could be anywhere from three to six months. The Jets believe he will be ready by training camp in July, but that all depends on whether or not he is back with the team or not.
Wilkerson's contract is expiring after the Jets did not re-sign him last offseason. The defensive end is going to demand a high-priced deal that the team will either need to meet or hit him with the one-year franchise tag. According to NJ.com, a franchise tag for Wilkerson will cost anywhere between $12 million to $16 million for the one year. That will also become the baseline for contract negotiations.
The Jets have decisions to make. Sheldon Richardson will be back in 2016 along with rookie Leonard Williams. To make matters worse, Damon Harrison is also needing a new contract. The Jets could be forced to decide between the two players. If available, both Harrison and Wilkerson will command a lot of money. Harrison admits he is not sure what the future holds.
"I want to remain a Jet," Harrison said, via NJ.com. "Jet for life."
With players like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chris Ivory needing new contracts as well, the Jets will have a hard time making everyone happy. Fitzpatrick will command a big deal. Ivory will be looking for more money. The Jets will likely try to release players like Jeremy Kerley, Antonio Cromartie and Dee Milliner, but even then it will be tough. Richardson noted that he understands it will be tough to bring everyone back at the salaries they are commanding as the dominant defense could be breaking up.
"I'll miss this team," Richardson said, via NJ.com. "No one knows what the offseason is going to bring. Yeah, it is. Just can't keep everybody on this defensive line. It's just not realistic. Guys out-played their contracts. I'm going to miss them. We grew up together, pretty much, in the league. They helped me through a hard time in my life. So it's just going to be tough.
