Muhammad Wilkerson, seeking new deal, skips start of offseason program

New York Jets coach Todd Bowles opened his first offseason program Monday without one of his best players: defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, entering the final year of his contract, decided to stay away as he awaits a new deal, his agent confirmed. Even though the workouts are voluntary, his no-show sends a message to the front office that he is not happy with the pace of negotiations.

There was no indication if he will skip the entire offseason program. The Jets don't have a mandatory event until June 9, their second minicamp.

Wilkerson's agent, Chad Wiestling, released a statement, saying his client "will not be attending the New York Jets 2015 voluntary workouts that began [Monday'. Muhammad has been engaged in a workout program with his personal trainer since February and believes that continuing with his current program will put him in the best physical shape for the 2015 season."

The two sides have been talking on and off for about a year, but they've never been close to a deal. The Jets changed general managers after the season, replacing John Idzik with Mike Maccagnan, which may have slowed the process.

Wilkerson always has put the team ahead of his contract, indicating last offseason that he'd never consider a holdout. He played last season for only $1.2 million. At the end of the season, though, he admitted he was surprised he didn't have a new deal.

Wilkerson, a first-round pick in 2011, is due to make $6.969 million in 2015, the amount of his fifth-year option. The Jets exercised the option last spring. Right now, he's the seventh-highest-paid player on the team, based on 2015 compensation.

The Jets have been one of the most active teams in the offseason, having doled out close to $90 million in fully guaranteed money.

Wilkerson's absence comes four days after Maccagnan suggested Wilkerson's contract situation will be on the back burner until after the 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."

Wilkerson's no-show was earlier reported by CBSSports.com.