Muhammad Wilkerson last week told The Post he informed the Jets of his desire to stay with the team “for life.’’ What the Jets did by picking up the fifth-year option of his contract does not make Wilkerson a Jet for life, but it does ensure he remains under contract through the 2015 season.
Wilkerson, according to NFLPA records, will receive a guaranteed salary of $6.96 million in 2015 after the Jets exercised the fifth-year option on the gifted defensive end. That salary figure is not commensurate with what Wilkerson could have earned on the open market after his rookie contract ended following the 2014 season. The Jets had until May 2 to pick up the fifth-year option on Wilkerson.
The extra year gives the Jets more time to work out a long-term extension for Wilkerson.
“I told them at the end of the year last year that I want to be a Jet — a Jet for life,” Wilkerson said last week. “I’m from the area [Linden, N.J.], I’m a local guy, so I would love to be here and finish my career here.”
Wilkerson also said he would not hold out this summer — even if the Jets picked up the fifth-year option and he did not have a new long-term deal.
“That’s what I have an agent for,” Wilkerson said. “I’m not holding out. My agent is talking with [general manager John] Idzik, and that’s all I can say. I have nothing to do with that. I’m just going to let him take care of that. That’s his job. I’m just here to play ball.’’
Wilkerson has played in all 48 regular-season games in his three years with the Jets. He had a career-high 10.5 sacks in 2013.