Brian Costello

Brian Costello

NFL

Ryan goes mum on Muhammad

Muhammad Wilkerson received the Darrelle Revis treatment from coach Rex Ryan on Sunday. After the 26-20 win over the Saints, Ryan said the Jets “may have the best defensive player in the league right now,” about Wilkerson.

Sound familiar?

This is how Ryan used to talk about Revis when he first became the Jets coach. Wilkerson deserves the praise. He has 31 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception this season. Even when he’s not putting up stats, he is a disruptive force.

If not for J.J. Watt, Wilkerson might have a case as the best 3-4 lineman in football, and maybe even the best defensive player.

But don’t expect to hear Ryan go heavy on hyperbole with Wilkerson. Sunday’s comment was a slip and he admitted as much Monday. The Jets need to give Wilkerson a contract this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. It figures to be a huge financial windfall for Wilkerson, and his agents don’t need any help from Ryan.

During the contentious Revis contract talks in 2010, Ryan’s words were thrown in the faces of Jets management. Ryan called Revis the best defensive player in football. Revis’ camp’s argument was simple — pay him like it.

So when Ryan was asked about his comment on Wilkerson, he smiled.

“I don’t know. I never said that,” he joked.

Pressed on whether Wilkerson was the best defensive player in the league, Ryan took a pass.

“I don’t know, he’s pretty good,” Ryan said. “But, see, I’m not supposed to say that.”

The Jets can only hope their negotiations with Wilkerson go much easier than the last time they were dealing with Revis, the last “best defensive player in football” they had.