Coffee with the Jets: Wilkerson benched for Week 15

In this edition of Coffee with the New York Jets, Todd Bowles confirms that Muhammad Wilkerson won’t be flying with the team for Sunday’s game, John Morton gave up against the Broncos, and Josh McCown ready to serve as an extra coach.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the New York Jets, earlier today, some breaking news hit the wire. Head coach Todd Bowles has confirmed that starting defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson won’t be flying with the team to New Orleans to take on the Saints in their Week 15 matchup.

Bowles didn’t specify exactly why this has happened but once again referred to it as a coaching decision. Details will undoubtedly surface over the next few days but chances are, Wilkerson probably violated team rules or came late yet again to more mandatory team meetings.

This is yet another incident that doesn’t bode well for Wilkerson’s chances to be in the long-term plans of the Jets who can cut him this upcoming offseason and not take such a huge salary cap hit. Below are some of the top articles on the internet around the Jets, especially about Wilkerson staying home this weekend.

Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson won’t travel with team to face Saints by Daniel Popper (New York Daily News)

The week after Todd Bowles defended Muhammad Wilkerson’s leadership, the Jets coach said the defensive lineman won’t be traveling with the team to New Orleans.

At the end of the day, this isn’t a good look for a veteran that just got a massive contract extension not so long ago. Bowles will continue to discipline players who aren’t contributing to the greater picture of a culture built on teamwork, hard work, and doing whatever it takes to win football games. Wilkerson now falls in this category and well, will continue to have his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Jets’ offensive coordinator John Morton admits he gave up against Broncos in the fourth quarter by Daniel Popper (New York Daily News)

“The game was out of hand, and I didn’t want some bad stuff to happen. Okay?” Morton said after practice in Florham Park, as the Jets prepared for a contest at the Saints this weekend. “I don’t like saying no más, but listen, it was time to get out of there.

While it’s easy to understand why Morton made the decision he did to end the game quickly since the Jets were outplayed by the Broncos last week, it’s never a good thing to admit things like giving up or quitting. As always, you play to win the game, as former head coach Herman Edwards preached about so many years ago. Even when losing, one should always continue pushing the envelope to at least get something going, not just call out rushing plays just for the sake of ending a game.

Josh McCown is shifting into a new role for the Jets by Zach Braziller (New York Post)

Bowles didn’t define exactly what McCown’s responsibilities will be Sunday afternoon and if he will also be a player-coach in the final two games of the year against the Chargers and Patriots. But it would seem to reason he’ll be assisting third-year quarterback Bryce Petty in his first start of the season, and fifth of his career.

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One can’t speak highly enough of McCown and everything he’s brought to the Jets in just one year. The man exemplifies leadership and just a genuine nature that goes above and beyond football as now, even after breaking his non-throwing hand, will still help the Jets and well, Bryce Petty, end the season on a high note. This will be great for Petty’s continued development who will now start for the Jets on Sunday. Hopefully, it’ll be a positive outing for him since the Jets could use some good news at this point in time.

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