Wilkerson doesn't feel like Jets want him
Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is embroiled in what is rapidly becoming a messy contract dispute with the New York Jets, and now he's speaking out about it.
The Jets have suggested they want to lock Wilkerson up long term and gave him the franchise tag earlier this offseason. Since then, there doesn't seem to have been any meaningful progress in contract talks.
"It’s shocking. It’s frustrating," Wilkerson told the New York Post's Brian Costello on Wednesday. "Because I feel like I’ve earned it and I deserve it. It would be different if I was just a mediocre player. I feel like each and every week I’m dominating and it’s showing. The stats speak for themselves. Basically, what more do I need to do? ...
"Do I feel that they want me back? As of right now, no. I don’t feel like they want me. I’m a talented guy. Everybody knows that. I feel like they’re going to get the best they can out of me and just let me go."
The two sides are reportedly far apart in negotiations and could be less likely than ever to reach a deal after the Philadelphia Eagles gave defensive lineman Fletcher Cox a blockbuster six-year, $103-million extension Monday that may have set the floor for Wilkerson's negotiations.
"I think he’s a great player. Do I feel like I’m better than him? Yes," Wilkerson said of Cox. "Not to be cocky, it’s just a confidence thing. Everybody in the league that plays feels like they’re the best player at their position. If you ask any NFL player, they’re going to say they’re the best at their position.
"I feel like I’m better than him and whatever (his deal is) I deserve that or better."
If Wilkerson and the Jets don't reach a deal by July 15, he will have to play under the $15.7-million franchise tag - or sit the season out. Though Wilkerson said he doesn't believe the Jets have seriously tried to lock him up, he suggested he still believes a deal is possible.
"I don’t think they’re trying like they should. We’ve still got time," Wilkerson said. "The deadline is in a month. We’ve got some time."