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Dan Graziano of ESPN reports the Jets have created $5.7 million in new cap space with Muhammad Wilkerson's new contract.
So the Jets save $5.701 million on this year's cap with Wilkerson deal. Makes a 1-yr deal for Fitzpatrick possible, if they want.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) July 15, 2016
Wilkerson was previously set to count $15.7 million against the cap had he played on the franchise tag.
Functionally speaking, this could save a player like Breno Giacomini or Nick Folk from being cut if the Jets do re-sign Fitzpatrick. It also could open the door for a veteran cap signing if the Jets do not bring out Fitzpatrick. That probably would have been off the table without the new deal for Wilkerson.
Obviously, with the short-term cap savings, the Jets have added big cap hits onto future seasons with the new contract for Wilkerson.
Hat tip to GGN's Holdout for directing us to this tweet.