The Jets and standout defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are far apart on contract talks as Sunday’s opener draws ever closer, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports. It’s unlikely the two will continue negotiating when the season begins, according to La Canfora, which means the 25-year-old could be on the eve of beginning his final season with the Jets. La Canfora writes that the Jets haven’t been willing to give Wilkerson similar guaranteed money to what Cameron Jordan ($23.96MM) and Cameron Heyward ($15MM) received from New Orleans and Pittsburgh, respectively. Further, given the massive extension AFC East rival Buffalo signed Marcell Dareus to earlier this week, the Jets’ offers to Wilkerson look even less appealing to the defender. The team’s latest offer to Wilkerson is far lower than what Dareus received from the Bills, per La Canfora, even though Wilkerson – like Dareus – has established himself as one of the NFL’s best D-linemen.
While Wilkerson is displeased with the Jets’ negotiating tactics, his agent, Chad Wiesteling, says it won’t affect his on-field performance.
“Mo loves being a Jet, and nothing less than a Super Bowl for New York will satisfy him this season. He will play his heart out for this team regardless of his contract situation.”
More from around the AFC:
- Newly signed Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith‘s on-field dominance has been overshadowed by off-field issues throughout his four-year career, but his Oakland teammates are excited to have him, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “The only thing we expect is that he comes in and works hard,” 18th-year man Charles Woodson said. “We’ve been working hard all offseason. He needs to contribute and help make this team great. That’s what we want. I’m sure he wants the same thing.”
- Running back Robert Turbin‘s injury settlement with Seattle was for five weeks. That means he could debut with his new team – the Browns – around mid-October (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates).
- Chargers tight end John Phillips will be on the roster Sunday against Detroit, so he’ll be guaranteed his full 2015 salary of $745k. His cap hit will be $585k (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).