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Wilkerson Says He Will Not Hold Out


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Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson says he will not hold out

 

 

The best player on the Jets wants to avoid a nasty offseason contract dispute like Darrelle Revis’ contentious holdout in 2010. In fact, Muhammad Wilkerson said he wants to retire as a Jet.

 

The All-Pro defensive end told Metro New York on Saturday he hopes to sign a long-term deal with the Jets. Recent reports have said Wilkerson, who is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, wants a pay raise and could be a possible holdout candidate.

 

Wilkerson denied he is considering a preseason holdout or thoughts of any lengthy contract haggling. He even sounded optimistic a deal could be in place to keep him in green and white for the foreseeable future.

 

When asked if a deal will be done this offseason, he left little wiggle room for his intentions.

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“It will be taken care of, definitely. But all that holdout and all that other talk that people were saying and everything – I never said anything like that. I’m not going to hold out,” Wilkerson told Metro New York. “It’s not something I want; it’s not something I’m thinking about. I’m going to show up like everybody else and do what I’m told.”

 

 

Wilkerson spoke Saturday at Blink Fitness in Parsippany, N.J. where he served as personal trainer and fielded questions. During the question and answer session, he also sounded support for rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who struggled last season as the team’s starter.

 

 

As for his Jets future, sources tell Metro New York no significant contract talks have taken place between Wilkerson’s representatives and the team. But it is certainly his desire to strike a deal with general manager John Idzik.

 

 

He had 64 tackles last season and led the Jets with 10 1/2 sacks. He was snubbed from the Pro Bowl despite his performance from the end position in the Jets’ 3-4 alignment.

 

 

“Like I tell everybody, that’s what I got an agent for. I feel I’ve got a damn good one. They’re going to discuss with John and them and I think they’re going to work something out,” Wilkerson said. “I have faith in them. At the end of the day, I want to be a Jet for life. I think I will be so I’m going to let everything take care of itself. Everything will fall into place; everything happens for a reason. I’m just sitting here waiting.”

 

 

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

 

 

- See more at: http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/02/08/jets-defensive-end-muhammad-wilkerson-says-he-will-not-hold-out/#sthash.T2FsItMd.dpuf

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He's probably smart enough to realize he has absolutely zero leverage in this situation. He caught a raw deal being a first round pick in the new CBA, but if he continues to play at this level, he will earn a contract extension sooner rather than later.  With the 5th year option and franchise tags, I imagine they'll ink a deal at the end of the season that will be team friendly.  

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Big mo is awesome. I will buy his jewrsey for me and baby Crusher. He learned from Revis he wants to spend his career [p-laying for Rex. Love this guy.

Just like how Revis said he wanted to be a Jet for life.

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Just like how Revis said he wanted to be a Jet for life.

Absolutely correct. NEVER and I mean NEVER, believe anything that these athletes say publicly. When MO, or anyone else, get together with their "connections" , agents, family etc., then all of sudden the tune changes. When his agents points to guys making 10-12 million that aren't even half as good as him, and he is making squat, things and perspectives change real fast.

 

How many times do we hear players saying "oh I would never hold out", or how about "yeah, I'm open to a hometown discount", or " I don't need a long term deal" etc., and then ask for or do the EXACT opposite.

 

When He's in camp, not holding out, not griping in the press everyday about his contract, when his agent isn't blasting the JETS for being cheap, and not treating him fairly, and not paying him like his contemporaries etc., but we put these guys on pedestals way too fast, only to have them fall like a brick, after the agent has poisoned them.

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He's probably smart enough to realize he has absolutely zero leverage in this situation. He caught a raw deal being a first round pick in the new CBA, but if he continues to play at this level, he will earn a contract extension sooner rather than later.  With the 5th year option and franchise tags, I imagine they'll ink a deal at the end of the season that will be team friendly.

Pretty much.

With the franchise tag, the Jets have the option to wait two years to do the contract extension - if that's what they want to do. I agree with you, though, that doing it one year earlier could result in a more team-friendly deal. A lot depends on Mo's damn good agent. They'd probably get more money overall if they wait the two years themselves, but some money right now is often nicer than some more money (possibly) later - for both the player and the agent.

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The jets will not sign him till after next year most likely this is what the owners fought for in the new CBA . He has no choice but to accept it ! Just remember we control him for 3 more seasons . And if u notice nobody in that class has be redone and that's Von miller and Cam so the all will probably wait. It sucks but this is the bussiness side of football

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