Muhammad Wilkerson and some of the other Jets defensive linemen were chatting during Sunday’s walkthrough about what kind of havoc this defensive line can bring this season.
“We were talking during walkthrough that having all of us on the same field is going to be fun,” Wilkerson said. “With the defensive staff we’ve got — Todd [Bowles] and Kacy [Rodgers] — dialing up blitzes and creating mismatches, I know offensive coordinators are going to have a difficult time scheming us up.
“You can’t double everybody.”
It is going to be a scary thought for opposing offenses this year with Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams all on the field at the same time. First, though, they need Wilkerson to get back on the field. The defensive end is still recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his right leg suffered in the season finale last year.
Wilkerson has vowed he will be ready for Week 1 against the Bengals. Since coming off the physically unable to perform list last week, Wilkerson has only participated in positional drills, not team work yet.
“Everything is fine,” Wilkerson said. “The leg is getting better each and every day. I’m just doing the position stuff and hopefully I’ll be out there with the team soon.”
Bowles has not indicated when Wilkerson will be cleared for team drills, saying that positional drills is all he is scheduled for right now.
“This was part of the plan. Obviously, it’s a gradual process,” Bowles said. “You can’t bring anybody out like that and just throw him in drills and say, ‘OK, let’s go.’ Obviously, he’s got to get through individual drills and he’s got to show non-soreness the next day. It’s a gradual process.”
One month ago Monday, Wilkerson and the Jets agreed to a five-year, $86 million contract after it appeared he might not sign his franchise tender and would skip training camp. Instead, the sides reached a deal minutes before the deadline for a long-term deal and Wilkerson has been able to be an active participant in camp even if he is unable to fully practice.
For Wilkerson, the contract was a relief after seeking a new deal for more than a year. Instead of worrying about his long-term future, he can now be secure that he will be a Jet.
“I’m just focused on football now,” Wilkerson said. “I don’t have to worry about [the contract]. I can just focus on football and getting the leg right and getting comfortable out there on the field with my brothers. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Wilkerson has been chasing that contract for the last few years. Now that he has it, will he feel pressure to live up to it?
“Like a coach once told me, you only feel pressure when you’re unprepared,” Wilkerson said. “I feel like I’m prepared and I’m ready once I’m out there. The training staff did an unbelievable job getting me prepared and ready, so I feel no pressure.”
Wilkerson is coming off a monster season, his best in the NFL. He had 12 sacks and was a big reason the Jets finished No. 2 against the run.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Wilkerson said of his goals for this year.
That’s a scary thought for Jets opponents.