Former NY Jets All-Pro arrested again, accused of having loaded gun in car

After starting his NY Jets career in such a positive way, establishing himself as one of the best players in the league at his position, Muhammad Wilkerson has followed his unceremonious exit from professional football with legal troubles that continue to mount up.

Wilkerson was arrested on December 22 in Hanover, New Jersey. According to court records, Wilkerson failed a sobriety test. After police searched his car, officers found an open bottle of tequila and an FN 509 tactical handgun with 11 hollow-point bullets. Wilkerson could not provide proper documentation for the gun.

The charges that have been levied against Wilkerson are quite serious in nature. Per Hanover Police Sergent John Schauder, Wilkerson was charged with second-degree possession of a handgun, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, and fourth-degree possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Former NY Jets star Muhammad Wilkerson arrested, accused of having gun in car

This is not Wilkerson's first run-in with the police. Wilkerson has been charged with DWI twice prior in the last six years, with both of those incidents occurring within 12 months of each other.

In 2019, Wilkerson was arrested after blowing a .09 at a traffic stop in New York City. His license was suspended for three months. In 2020, Wilkerson was charged with DWI, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wilkerson has had some troubles after the 2016 season, in which he signed a gigantic five-year contract with the Jets after being named second-team All-Pro twice in three years. The former first-round pick recorded just eight sacks in his next two seasons, eventually getting released after disciplinary problems and showing up late to meetings.

Wilkerson signed a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers after his release, but an injury limited him to just three games, and he hasn't played in the NFL since. Wilkerson's career was effectively over at age 29, with 410 tackles and 44.5 sacks to his name.

Considering how good Wilkerson was at his best, the fact he has found it so difficult to stay out of trouble has been tough to watch.