New York Jets Exercise 5th Year Option On Muhammad Wilkerson's Contract

In a move that should surprise nobody but delight everybody, the Jets have decided to exercise their 5th year option on Muhammad Wilkerson to lock him up through 2015. First reported my Manish:

Jets have exercised their fifth-year option on DL Mo Wilkerson's contract. ($6.696M in 2015). #nyj Story: http://t.co/I620djYKu9

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 18, 2014

This is obviously good news for the Jets, who have according to reports earlier this off-season, already made it clear they will be looking to lock Mo up long-term. The deadline to exercise the option was May 3rd, so we have got it sorted nice and early.

Wilkerson who was the 30th overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft will play 2014 earning just $1.2 million. However in 2015 it will take a jump to $6.969 million for the 2015 season. The amount will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the 2015 league year.

Mo had his best year in 2013, racking up a career high 10 1/2 sacks. The Jets will look to tie him up for the foreseeable future, however it is likely that deal will be done after the 2014 season.

The Jets reached out to Wilkerson's camp earlier this summer to ensure him that they would be addressing a long-term contract at some point but they would be prioritising free agency and the NFL draft this summer.

I fully expect the Jets to do right by Wilkerson, and they have the cap room this year and moving into next year to be able to get a deal done when the time comes. It could happen later this summer, although it's much more likely to happen next summer.

Recently Wilkerson went on record by saying he wanted to be a Jet for life. You know you have to take any statement like that with a pinch of salt, but if and when the Jets extend a fair deal to all parties involved, I'm confident it gets done. So expect to see Wilkerson in green for a long time.