Although April workouts are voluntary for Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, his absence from the start of offseason programs Monday could be a sign of a longer holdout.
A source confirmed to ESPN.com that Wilkerson is avoiding workouts as he awaits a new contract.
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Wilkerson, 25, played 2014 for $1.2 million after saying he’d never hold out, but the first-round pick was reportedly surprised he didn’t have a new deal by the end of the season. He isn’t exactly making crumbs in 2015 as the Jets picked up his fifth-year option that will pay him $6.969 million, the seventh-highest salary on the team.
A first-round pick in 2011, Wilkerson has 24 sacks in four seasons as a Jet, including a career-best 10.5 in 2013.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said last week working on Wilkerson’s contract will likely be held off until after the NFL Draft.
"That's something we're going to discuss here in the offseason at some point in time with him," Maccagnan said. "Obviously, for us, first we're going to work ourselves through the draft process. After that, that's something we're going to address going forward. I think for a lot of these things, it may be a process.
"Obviously, the agent and Muhammad have their perspective. We're going to have our point, and at the end of the day, hopefully find a middle ground we're both comfortable with. Muhammad is a very good player. I'd like to keep him a Jet."