Woody Johnson famously once claimed that the Jets are about “truth, justice and the American way,” a belief in his core principles more than an ode to some guy in a bright red cape and boots. He rewards loyalty, loathes selfishness and takes care of the people who take care of his franchise.
He’s willing to open his checkbook for players who embody that standard. Now, the owner has a perfect opportunity to take care of one of his own, the best player and role model on the Jets.
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement gave organizations a vice grip on first-round player contracts starting in 2011. Although the Jets have the leverage in their dealings with star defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, Johnson and general manager John Idzik should send the right message to everyone in the organization by signing him to a market-value multi-year extension before the start of the regular season.
With about $22 million in available salary-cap space, the Jets have the means to make it happen right now.
Wilkerson, like fellow 2011 first-rounders Cam Newton, Patrick Peterson, A.J. Green, Julio Jones and J.J. Watt, don’t wield the power. Twenty-one teams exercised fifth-year options on their 2011 first-round picks this summer, including the Jets, who can retain Wilkerson’s rights through 2016 without signing him to a long-term extension. Wilkerson, coming off a career-high 10.5-sack season, is scheduled to earn a $1.2 million base salary this season.
“Do I feel that I’m underpaid right now? Yeah,” Wilkerson told the Daily News on Thursday after the Jets’ first training camp practice. “But that’s part of the business. My time will come when I get a new contract. But right now I’m just worried about becoming a better player, a better teammate and a better leader.”
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Wilkerson has Jeterian qualities that Johnson can market for the next decade. The New Jersey product has already made it clear that he’d like to be a Jet for life and that strong-arming the team by holding out this summer was never a consideration. He is face-of-the-franchise material.
Johnson was so fed up with Darrelle Revis’ constant contract demands that he ultimately traded him and wouldn’t even consider a reunion this offseason after the Buccaneers released him. Wilkerson is the anti-Revis.
“He’s great. You’re glad that he represents the Jets,” Rex Ryan told The News. “There is no question about that. The thing about this league — and the thing about Derek Jeter — is they get what they deserve. At the end of the day, they’re going to get what they deserve. Derek Jeter has earned every penny he’s ever made. The Yankees are happy to have paid him. I’ll promise you that. Just like the Jets are happy to pay contracts for the guys that have (earned) it. That’s the way it is.”
A good-faith gesture for one of Johnson’s most loyal employees should override the shrewd business decision to hold off on a new deal for another year or two. Wilkerson’s fifth-year option in 2015 is worth $6.969 million. The Jets could apply the franchise tag in 2016 and theoretically retain his rights for the next three seasons for about $21 million, highway robbery to keep a second-team All-Pro player.
“We recognize that Mo is a huge part of who we are in building our team,” Ryan said. “John will tell you that. Everybody in this organization will tell you the kind of person Mo is. If you had your druthers, you do want to pay your own. That means you drafted well. They’re part of your fabric for a long time. Your fan base identifies with those players.”
On paper, it makes sense for the Jets to let Wilkerson play this season on his existing contract to minimize the financial risk in case of injury. However, the message sent by paying a model player and leader would strike a chord. “There’s a lot of faith on both sides that everything will work out for everybody’s benefit,” Ryan said. “I believe that.”
Wilkerson, 24, says his family and religion keep him centered. He doesn’t worry about getting hurt.
The Jets haven’t made him an offer yet, he says, but it’s likely that he’d have to make some financial concessions to strike a team-friendly deal now.
“It’s a business,” veteran outside linebacker Calvin Pace said. “You can’t ever mix business and personal (where) you’re so loyal that you lose sight of that. They might throw a number at you that you might not want to hear. Sometimes with money, it’s, ‘Hey, I love you as a player, but this is all I’m going to give you.'”
Wilkerson likely would maximize his earnings by waiting for Watt to set the market for defensive linemen. There are no indications that the Texans are close to an extension for the All-Pro.
So, Wilkerson waits.
“I believe they’re loyal,” Wilkerson said. “My time will come. I’m a patient man.”
Johnson rewards loyalty. Nobody has been more loyal than the best player on his team.
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