NY Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson and his murky future

The NY Jets and their 2015 season may be over, but the 2016 off-season starts immediately. The leading question is Muhammad Wilkerson’s future and boy, is it murky.

The season has come to a disappointing end and this loss will sting for a while, but with that being said the Jets brass must quickly turn their attention to a pivotal 2016 off-season. One of the leading questions left to be answered is the future of their Pro Bowl defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson.

The situation got a lot murkier when Wilkerson went down with an apparent serious leg injury. Upon further examination it was revealed by head coach Todd Bowles in the post game press conference that Wilkerson suffered a broken leg and his timetable to return is still unclear. He will need surgery to heal it completely and start the rehab process.

The Jets brass knew when they decided to select Leonard Williams, the versatile defensive linemen out of USC, that they were going to have to make a decision eventually. The Jets have an embarrassment of riches along the defensive line as Damon Harrison and Wilkerson are both set to be free agents this off-season.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Obviously Sheldon Richardson‘s issues in the off-season are still at the forefront of the collective minds when making these decisions on the future of the Jets’ defensive line.

Do you use Richardson or Wilkerson as a bargaining chip of some kind? Richardson has the higher ceiling, but has the bigger red flags. Wilkerson is a steady veteran presence with a quiet demeanor displaying leadership on this ball club.

It’s an impossible decision that simply got murkier with this broken leg suffered by Wilkerson. At this current moment, the Jets seem to be leaning towards the franchise tag. The last we heard about the contract negotiations between the Jets and Wilkerson, they were apparently too far off to come to an agreement.

Should be a full and normal recovery for Muhammad Wilkerson from broken leg. He’ll be fine I’m told. Stands to cash in big as potential FA

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 3, 2016

More jets: Poor coaching killed Jets' NFL Playoff hopes

Some fresh news from Jason La Canfora as his sources have reported that Wilkerson is expected to make a full recovery, which is fantastic news. Expect more articles and discussion on this topic as we progress closer to the franchise designation deadlines. Especially once news comes out as to how this murky situation with Wilkerson becomes clearer over time.