We all knew this would likely happen and tommorow is the day all teams can start using the franchise tag. Report: Jets plan to use franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson Posted by Josh Alper on February 15, 2016, 2:26 PM EST Getty Images Tuesday is the first day that teams can apply the franchise tag on impending free agents, which means the Jets will have to make a decision about defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. While quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is also headed for free agency, the feeling is that the Jets can work out a longer deal with Fitzpatrick. That hasn’t been the case with Wilkerson, who spent time last offseason angling for a new contract and hasn’t agreed to a deal with the Jets in the ensuing months. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that things haven’t moved any closer to a resolution on the long-term contract front and that the Jets plan to use their tag on Wilkerson. That would cost more than $15 million in salary for the 2016 season if Wilkerson winds up playing out the year under the tag and the two sides would have until the middle of July to talk about a long-term deal. The Jets could also trade Wilkerson over that period, something that could be of interest if they decide they want to re-sign defensive tackle Damon Harrison to go with Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams up front on defense.
Seems like more of a formality for most teams at this point and for us as well. The franchise tag has basically turned into a way for teams to buy time to negotiate a long term deal. I don't have statistics but I don't believe many teams end up playing out their tag year without an extension. It's a loss for both sides if they do and really hinders the cap if the team takes a $16 million guaranteed hit.
It's all speculation at this point. Given the ridiculous contracts interior lineman have been given recently (Suh, Dareus, McCoy) it's not unreasonable to think that he wants excess of $15+ million a year. There isn't much of a middle ground in those contracts and Suh and McCoy both signed with teams with a ridiculous amount of cap space at the time so those players had room to negotiate high. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/average/defensive-tackle/ Note that for 3-4 defensive ends Cameran Jordan, and Calais Campbell both received $11 million a year, Liuget received $10 million, while Heyward and Mike Daniels received an average of around $10. There is no middle ground. Wilk has put up two larger sack years than McCoy, Dareus, Suh, Campbell, Heyward, Liuget and Daniels. Only Jordan has comparable sack numbers but has played on league worst run and pass defenses. Mo is routinely also only behind Watt in batted down balls. Suh has 1 double digit sack season, Dareus has 1, Jordan has 2. Mo has 2. The rest have 0. Mo's agent has all the leverage in the world to want a 5-6 year deal worth in the $90 million range which is on part with what Dareus, Suh and McCoy all received. I don't know why anyone would think he'd settle for a bargain at $10 million a year. My guess is we want him along the lines of a 5 year deal for $70 million where his agent wants $90 million. That's a huge gap and I really don't think he's worth that money. I'd like to note I don't think Dareus or McCoy are either. If Suh wasn't a dick head and played with the effort of Watt he would be worth it but he doesn't. He's really the only player at that particular 3-4 end or 3technique position that's worth anything more than $12 million a year IMO.
I feel like Mos stats are gonna dissapear as soon as he gets paid.....I don't know why I just have a bad feeling about it
I think the Jets will end up using the non-exclusive tag on Mo, so that the Jets can either match an opposing team's offer or receive 2 first round picks. Oakland seems like a team that would try to go after him, or maybe a team with a lot of cap room like the Jags.
This was a no-brainer, obviously. No GM in their right mind would let a Pro Bowl DL in his prime get away. Big Mac is way too smart a GM to let his best defensive players get away. He will do what it takes to keep him in the green and white.
We don't have the dough to keep him. 16 million hit and then trade him for some superstars plus more if Mac can. I don't think he's really worth it , but the market says otherwise. Overall a stinky deal for the Jets imho. +100 whoever said the guy gets his payday like Mevi$ and goes into hibernation next season Let's spend what we have left resigning Fitz for goodness sake. Goodbye $heldon and/or Snacks
Here's Semeni's take, fwiw. Not giving any probs to him mind you. It's relevant in lieu of the Mo rumor. He's got it 60-40 nay http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-je...ks-harrison-would-be-a-punch-in-the-jets-nose In case you'd rather not click on him in the link: The case to keep him: You can't run an effective 3-4 defense without a strong nose tackle, and Harrison is one of the best in the business. He has the size and power to occupy two blockers in a two-gap scheme, but he also has enough quickness to be a one-gap penetrator. It's hard to find guys like that. Todd Bowles made it clear how much he values Big Snacks, and you can bet he'll stand on the table to keep him. From a public-relations standpoint, it makes sense. The Jets signed him as an undrafted free agent and developed him into a terrific player, a real homegrown success story. It would be a shame to see another team reap the benefits over the long term. The case to let him go: The Jets already have $22.7 million in cap space devoted to Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson(assuming he gets the franchise tag for an estimated $15.5 million), so do they really want to pour more money into the defensive line? The going rate for a top nose tackle is $4.5 million per year, but Harrison also will be attractive to 4-3 teams. Two years ago, Paul Soliai -- similar to Harrison -- landed a five-year, $32 million contract from the Atlanta Falcons, including $11 million guaranteed. That would be a lot of coin for a two-down player; Harrison played 56 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Crystal ball: This could be the Jets' toughest free-agent decision. They very much want to keep Harrison, but Big Snacks will command a big payday. He'll probably wait until the legal tampering period (March 7-9), when he'll be able to negotiate with other teams, making it even tougher for the Jets to keep him. This is a tough call, but the sense is that it's 60-40 he leaves.
Well the day we all knew was coming is drawing nearer- If it does come down to a tag and trade, goodbye Mo and thanks for the memories. Can't fault the guy for trying to get what he thinks hes worth when your career is as short as a football players. No hard feelings Wilk was a high production guy with good character and I'll root for him as long as he leaves the division/doesn't become a Giant or Steeler but sometimes if the money aint right, it aint right. Assuming the rumors are true, heres hoping we get a hell of a return on the guy (and he isn't TOO good elsewhere)
If we trade Mo for draft picks we get good cheap players and can use the money to lock up Richardson and Snacks.
I know Richardson has some maturity issues, obviously. But he can mature, and redeem himself, and I know we only get a sense of what's going on in players' heads at the kind of remove we have as fans. But I think Richardson will mature, and the Jets can build their DL around him and Williams. So does that mean the Jets will be fine if both Wilkerson and Harrison go? Well, of they can get compensation for Wilkerson, that will help quite a bit. Harrison may simply cost too much for a two down player. Let's see what the market price ends up being for him.
Excuse my ignorance. If we tag him and can't find a trade partner, are we on the hook for the whole salary for 2016?
If the Jets tag him and don't trade him he's the Jets property for 2016. But they have only until July 15th to sign a long term deal with him otherwise he will get the 2016 salary tag no matter what. estimated $15.5 mil for Defensive Ends. So the Jets would be on the hook for $15.5 million for 2016 for Wilkerson. In 2017 he would become a free agent no matter what and the Jets wouldn't be able to use the franchise tag on him. around half the time teams come to a long term agreement before that July 15th deadline. In the case of Wilkerson, that $15 million is high so the Jets might want to do just that considering they need to sign back their starting QB. and franchise tagging Wilkerson likely means goodbye to Damon Harrison. but who knows "everything you ever wanted to know about NFL franchise tags" http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/p...-ever-wanted-to-know-about-nfl-franchise-tags (but I basically summed it up for you)
BN Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. if this is the case, do you think it is smart to tag him?
Others may disagree but It makes more sense to me to sign Wilkerson to a deal and apply the tag to Damon Harrison. Not only would Harrison's tag be smaller (DT money instead of DE money) but it would ensure both would be back for at least next year. Then you can delay the Harrison decision and you have Wilkerson around long term. obviously easier said than done though. I'm sure they've been trying to negotiate with Wilkerson. Either way, while today is the 1st day you are allowed to apply the franchise tag, you get 2 weeks. Why not take that whole time? You can talk with Wilkerson and if it gets close to the deadline and its looking unlikely that you can come to an agreement, you tag Wilkerson in the final hour. I would be disappointed if they tag him right away. There are some tough decisions to make though on that defensive line.
