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Report: Jets, Wilkerson not close to long-term contract

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Muhammad Wilkerson doesn't appear any more likely to land a long-term deal with the New York Jets now more than two months after being hit with the franchise tag.

New York still isn't close to reaching an agreement with the star defender as the club approaches next week's OTAs, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.

Teams have until July 15 to negotiate with franchise-tagged players, and such deadlines typically influence action from both sides. The clear lack of progress, however, indicates a realistic possibility that Wilkerson plays out the 2016 season with an eye on free agency next March.

The former first-round pick has undoubtedly established himself as one of the league's top defensive linemen through his first five seasons. Any long-term deal would almost certainly reward him as such, but the Jets are working under some tight salary-cap restrictions.

And for as much as the team would presumably like to retain a player of Wilkerson's caliber, the duo of Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams gives the defense more than enough talent to build around going forward.

Barring a breakthrough for a long-term deal in the coming weeks, it would be no surprise to see Wilkerson sit out some offseason activities before eventually reporting to training camp over the summer.

Regardless of what happens at the bargaining table in the coming weeks, though, the Jets will return a dominant defensive front for at least the 2016 season. The team could re-open negotiations with Wilkerson at the end of the year if need be, at which point a second use of the franchise tag could also become an option in again keeping him off the open market.

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