Jets to place franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson

The New York Jets will name Pro Bowl defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson as their franchise player. The Jets do not have to announce the decision until tomorrow, as the deadline to place the franchise tag on players is Tuesday at 4 PM ET.

The move buys the Jets more time to try to reach a new deal with Wilkerson.

The most likely result is probably that Wilkerson simply plays under the franchise tag in 2016, though there is some chance the Jets could execute a tag-and-trade if they find another team willing to deal for Wilkerson and pay him.

A first round selection by the Jets in 2011 out of Temple, Wilkerson just completed the fifth year of his rookie contract. The two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term contract. There was some speculation that the team could let the former first-round pick test the market as they selected defensive tackle/end Leonard Williams in the first round of the 2015 Draft.

It will cost them Q$15.7 million. He is coming off perhaps his best season to date, setting a career-high with 12 sacks while playing stout run defense.

The story first was reported by NFL Network. By using the tag on Wilkerson, Harrison can start negotiations with other teams. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison is also a pending free agent. He realizes that it will be impossible to keep everyone involved. While trading away their best defensive player from last season and for a majority of the five seasons he has been with the team, it is something the Jets will consider. He broke his lower right leg in the season finale at Buffalo, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. They will have approximately $18 million to work with from Peyton Manning’s contract as soon as he reportedly retires or the team parts ways with him.