NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets have released defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, ending the one-time Pro Bowl selection’s stint with the team that drafted him in the first round in 2011.
The team made the long-anticipated move on Wednesday, clearing $11 million in salary cap space. Wilkerson was due to make $16.75 million next season – which would have become fully guaranteed if he remained on New York’s roster by the third day of the league’s new year in March.
It became increasingly clearer late in the season that the 28-year-old Wilkerson’s time with the Jets was coming to an end. He was benched at New Orleans on Dec. 17 for being late to a team meeting. Wilkerson then sat out the final two games for what Todd Bowles called a ”coach’s decision.” He had just eight sacks in his past 28 games.
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