Just two years after re-signing him to an $86 million contract extension, the New York Jets decided they’d seen enough of defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. Wednesday, the team announced they’d released the former first round pick.
We have released DL Muhammad Wilkerson. pic.twitter.com/NhLfoREpLK
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 28, 2018
That wasn’t the only news New York made Wednesday, as just moments earlier running back Matt Forte announced his retirement from the NFL.
Wilkerson is the second former first round defensive lineman the Jets have given up on in the last calendar year. A week before the 2017 regular season began, New York traded Sheldon Richardson to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.
With still three years left on his contract, Wilkerson’s cut leaves a gaping $9 million dead salary cap hit on the Jets’ books. Last season he recorded 46 tackles, four pass defenses, one interception and 3.5 sacks. It was an OK performance, but nowhere near up to par with what he was being paid.
The #Jets released DL Muhammad Wilkerson two years into a 5-year, $86M contract. The team knew there was an out after two years and took it. He made $36.8M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2018
Wilkerson signed his extension back in 2015 after it appeared he was on his way out of New York. Instead, they ponied up the dough in Todd Bowles’ first season as head coach after Wilkerson recorded a career-high 12 sacks. It was his second double-digit sack total in three seasons. Since he signed his new deal, he’s not even recorded half that.
By releasing Wilkerson now, the Jets avoided paying the defensive end his full $16.75 million salary for 2018. After March 16 it would have been fully guaranteed. New York frees up $11 million in salary cap space with the move, which could allow them to get very serious in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes once free agency officially begins. The Jets, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals are all likely to start a bidding war for the QB’s services.
MATT FORTE RETIRES
Earlier Wednesday Jets running back Matt Forte called it a career. He played in 12 games last season and started four for New York, rushing for a career-low 381 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 37 passes for 293 yards and a score.
https://t.co/DqIf5X7zIu pic.twitter.com/4PzGZNNdgM
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) February 28, 2018
Forte played two seasons with the Jets and the previous eight with the Chicago Bears. He wraps up his NFL journey with 9,796 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns, a career 4.2 yards per carry average, 554 catches, 4.672 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.
LIONS TAG ANSAH
Tuesday night the Detroit Lions announced they’d placed the franchise tag on defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah bounced back from an off 2016 with 44 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 12 sacks in 14 games last season.
Ziggy Ansah is now the highest paid defensive end in the NFL. If I was a BYU coach, I'd be selling that as much as possible on the recruiting trail. Not many schools can say they have an alum who's the highest paid player at a position in the NFL.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 27, 2018
The tag should guarantee Ansah $17.5 million in 2018 if he and the Lions can’t reach a long-term contract agreement before July 16.
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