How the Jets scored with Muhammad Wilkerson's new contract

[Gas2No99]

How the Jets scored with Muhammad Wilkerson's new contract

enRichly In-Cimini-atedESPeNis Staff wRider

The New York Jets hit a home run on the Muhammad Wilkerson contract.

With details of the five-year, $85 million deal now available, via ESPN data, it's easier to evaluate the impact and scope of the contract from a team perspective. Three reasons why it's a great deal for the Jets:

Muhammad Wilkerson's new contract should benefit the Jets in the short term and the long term. Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports

1. By striking a long-term agreement before last Friday's league-wide deadline, the Jets bought an extra three years (2018-20) for the modest sum of $2.5 million. Let's explain. Wilkerson was due to make $15.7 million on the franchise tag, and there's a chance he could've been tagged again next year for $18.8 million. Basically, it would've been like a two-year, $34.5 million contract. He would've been a goner in 2018 because the amount of the franchise tag would've been prohibitive. Under the new deal, he gets $37 million for the first two years, but the Jets own his contractual rights for an additional three years. That's huge for the Jets.

2. The structure of the deal dovetails nicely with Sheldon Richardson's contractual status. The Jets are locked into Wilkerson for 2016 and 2017, with $36.75 million of his $37 million fully guaranteed. (The only non-guaranteed compensation is a $250,000 workout bonus in '17.) His 2018 base salary ($16.75 million) doesn't become fully guaranteed until the third day of the '18 league year, meaning the Jets can cut him without crushing their salary cap (a $9 million hit). The Jets have Richardson on a fixed salary for '16 and '17 (fifth-year option). If they sign him to a long-term deal or use the franchise tag in '18 and don't want to pay major bucks to two defensive linemen, they have the option of keeping Richardson and parting with Wilkerson.

3. They lowered Wilkerson's cap charge by $5.7 million by doing the long-term contract. Instead of $15.7 million, the hit drops to $10 million -- a $4.5 million roster bonus (payable Wednesday), a $2.5 million base salary and a $3 million pro-ration on his $15 million signing bonus. The additional cap room provides more flexibility as they attempt to negotiate a deal with free-agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Wilkerson is a very rich man with contract that averages $17.2 million per year -- Ndamukong Suh is the only defensive lineman with a higher APY -- but it also helps the team in the short and long term. A breakdown:

2016 -- Total compensation: $22 million. Signing bonus: $15 million. Roster bonus: $4.5 million. Base salary: $2.5 million fully guaranteed. Cap charge: $10 million.

2017 -- Total compensation: $15 million. Base salary: $14.75 million fully guaranteed. Workout bonus: $250,000. Cap charge: $18 million.

2018 -- Total compensation: $17 million. Base salary: $16.75 million (guaranteed for injury only at time of signing). Workout bonus: $250,000. Cap charge: $20 million.

2019 -- Total compensation: $15.5 million. Base salary: $15.25 million. Workout bonus: $250,000. Cap charge: $18.5 million.

2020 -- Total compensation: $16.5 million. Base salary: $16.25 million. Workout bonus: $250,000. Cap charge: $19.5 million.

 

 

 

[Integrity28]

Good article, especially for Cimini... 

[jetfan39]

it looks like this contract is set up for an extension sometime after 2017

[Jetdawgg]

Good for Mo. Go Jets

[Beerfish]

Contract is okay and with any and all contracts it is only okay if the guy plays like he did last year and produces like he did last year every year.

[joewilly12]

In Macc we trust.