New York Jets place franchise tag on Muhammed Wilkerson
Tuesday 1 March 2016 23:11, UK
The New York Jets confirmed on Tuesday that they are placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson.
The terms will see Wilkerson make $15.7m with the Jets, although the non-exclusive tag means other teams will be able to negotiate with the player.
The Jets, though, will have the option to match any offer and keep Wilkerson on the team.
He was the New York Jets' first-round draft pick in 2011, and had his best season in the NFL in 2015.
Wilkerson put up 12 sacks for the season, a career-high number, becoming one of the most productive players I his position.
It is a complicated situation for the Jets, with defensive tackle Damon Harrison also set to become a free agent. Sheldon Richardson's rookie contract will also be reaching its end at the end of the upcoming season, and will likely command a large sum to stay.
So there is much work left to be done for Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan.
"Mo is a very good player," said Maccagnan at the NFL Combine. "Obviously we'd like to have him in the organization going forward. At the end of the day, we like Mo very much.
"We do realize the franchise tag is an option that every team has with their players to potentially hold onto them and try to keep them long-term."
