After spending seven seasons with the New York Jets, Muhammad Wilkerson will have a new NFL home in 2018. Perhaps he’ll simply be trading shades of green.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media notes the Green Bay Packers are likely to receive the first free-agent visit for Wilkerson once he is officially released.
Wilkerson collected 405 total tackles and 44.5 sacks during his Jets’ tenure, but he managed only eight sacks over the last two seasons. The combination of failing to match expectations with his huge salary and a collapsed relationship with coaches led to his departure.
Green Bay typically isn’t a major player in free agency, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has said he’ll be more aggressive than predecessor Ted Thompson. The Packers need major help on defense, and Wilkerson has intriguing top-end talent.
Additionally, new Green Bay defensive coordinator Mike Pettine held that position with the Jets when they drafted Wilkerson in 2011. He may take several other visits, but this could be a beneficial pairing for Wilkerson and the Packers.