NFL Rumors: New York Jets Trading Muhammad Wilkerson To Philadelphia Eagles

NFL rumors are swirling around Muhammad Wilkerson. Though he is one of the best football players on the planet, the New York Jets are seriously considering the possibility of trading the talented defensive end. The team needs salary cap space so that they can sign starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Several teams in the National Football League have expressed interest in acquiring Wilkerson. According to ESPN, a potential landing spot for the 26-year-old is the Philadelphia Eagles.

Back when he was a college football star, Muhammad Wilkerson played for the Temple Owls. The team happens to play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field. That happens to be the home of the Philadelphia Eagles as well. Location might not be important to every player in the NFL, but it could make the Eagles seem more appealing of a home for Wilkerson. When players are comfortable, they might play better on the field.

Since a contract between the two sides has yet to be signed, the Philadelphia Eagles are concerned about the status of Fletcher Cox. Talks between the two sides have stalled. There are even reports surfacing that Cox could be playing for a new NFL team next season. The Eagles are open to the idea of trading away the 25-year-old Mississippi native. It might even take place as soon as the upcoming draft.

Like most defensive coordinators in the NFL, Jim Schwartz would love for the Philadelphia Eagles to be able to generate a pass rush without being forced to blitz. That way, he can have more players available in pass coverage. There are not a lot of players in the National Football League that can consistently get to the quarterback. Muhammad Wilkerson happens to be one of those players. Schwartz can draw up a lot of exotic pass coverage schemes with Wilkerson around.

It will be interesting to see where the Philadelphia Eagles play Muhammad Wilkerson if they do acquire him from the New York Jets. With his current team, Wilkerson plays defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. At 6’4?, 315 pounds, Muhammad had the requisite size to go up against offensive tackles. He often times would win those battles. In the 4-3 scheme, he might be required to move inside to defensive tackle. There, he would be going up against centers and guards.

There’s a chance that Muhammad Wilkerson might not need to change positions with the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he would be bigger than most defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme, Wilkerson has the athleticism to play the spot. He would simply need to be placed on the strong side. Usually, the weak side defensive end in a 4-3 front is quicker. They are required to run past the best left tackles in the NFL.

One drawback of acquiring Muhammad Wilkerson is that he is going to be a drain on the salary cap. The New York Jets have already given him the franchise tag. That means that the Philadelphia Eagles would be required to play him $15.7 million in salary. The Philadelphia Eagles were stung in free agency last summer. They have since fixed some of that by trading away DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell. The team could be hesitant to tie themselves up again this season.

Acquiring someone like Muhammad Wilkerson can change the game. It can alter the landscape of the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles attempted to do that last season. It didn’t work out too well. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie wants badly to win the Super Bowl. He might encourage his management team to swing for the fences again. Wilkerson is such a great player that he can be the one to make that happen.