New York Jets

Is Muhammad Wilkerson the long-term answer instead of Sheldon Richardson?

Published Jul. 7, 2015 8:58 p.m. ET

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The New York Jets have had a very interesting offseason as it pertains to their defensive line. First, Muhammad Wilkerson entered the offseason seeking a long-term contract extension which may or may have not led to the Jets drafting USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams in the NFL Draft. Then Wilkerson skipped voluntary OTAs and spent time flirting with the possibility of skipping mandatory minicamp before fully participating.

Finally, before the holiday weekend, the Jets learned that they will be without Sheldon Richardson for the first four games of the season after he violated the league's substance abuse policy.

With Richardson's recent suspension, could Wilkerson be closer to remaining a Jet for the foreseeable future?

According to a video by Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, the Jets could be leaning toward keeping Wilkerson instead of Richardson in the future.

"The New York Jets are dealing with the fallout from the suspension for defensive end Sheldon Richardson — and that is the decision: Do they decide to go for Muhammad Wilkerson on a long-term deal? Or do they deal with Richardson a year from now? Prior to the suspension that Richardson got for marijuana use, the Jets considered Richardson the better player between the two. However, in this offseason, not only are they dealing with the suspension, but there is concern about Richardson's long-term contract demands, and a belief that Richardson is willing to do whatever it takes, including hold out, to get that long-term deal with the kind of money that, say, Ndamukong Suh received."

Signing Wilkerson seems to be an easier option and come at a price tag that is more team friendly than what Richardson could demand in the future. Of course, the key to all of this could be the play of Leonard Williams. Williams hasn't played a meaningful down of football in the NFL and if he can show flashes of brilliance in the four games that Richardson is suspended for, then maybe Richardson becomes expendable in the future. If Wiliams is slow to adjust to the NFL, then it throws another wrench into the possible futures of both Wilkerson and Richardson.

(h/t True Jersey and Bleacher Report)

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports