Agent: Jets DT Muhammad Wilkerson will not attend voluntary workouts
New York Jets defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson skipped the first day of the team’s voluntary off-season program, reports CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora.
Monday’s session with the team includes strength and conditioning work, plus classroom sessions with position coaches at the team’s facility.
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This off-season program is not mandatory, so players can choose to skip the workouts without being fined. Wilkerson's agent released a statement on Monday saying his client would not be attending the workouts at all.
"Muhammad will not be attending the Jets voluntary workouts that began today. Muhammad has been engaged in a workout program with his personal trainer since February, and believes that continuing with his current will put him in the best physical shape for the 2015 season."
Wilkerson is reportedly looking for a long-term deal and is scheduled to make $6.97 million in the last year of his rookie deal. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Wilkerson had 55 total tackles with 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble for New York last season.
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Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has said that the team wants to keep Wilkerson.
"Muhammad’s a very good player," Maccagnan said to season-ticket holders last week. "We obviously would like to keep him a Jet."
The Jets spent significant money this off-season bolstering their defense. They gave Darrelle Revis a five-year, $70 million contract with $39 million guaranteed, signed former Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine to a four-year, $25 million deal, and signed Antonio Cromartie to a four-year deal worth $32 million.
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