FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- One of the storylines at the start of training camp was the Muhammad Wilkerson contract situation: Would the New York Jets reward their best player with an extension?
Wilkerson waited. And waited. And waited. Still no extension.
On Tuesday, he acknowledged for the first time that he expected a new deal. He said he's not upset that it hasn't happened.
"No, I'm not disappointed," Wilkerson said. "I mean, I thought it would be done, but it wasn't, so, hey, it is what it is. I'm patiently waiting. If it happens, it happens."
The Jets exercised a fifth-year option last spring, meaning he's under contract through 2015. His salary for next season is $6.96 million. Presumably, the front office -- whether John Idzik is calling the shots or not -- will try to lock him up long term before the start of the 2015 season. If not, the Jets can use the franchise tag, but that would cost north of $13.1 million -- the franchise number for a defensive end in 2014.
Wilkerson's numbers are down this season (five sacks), but he missed three games due to a turf-toe injury.
"I think I played well, but it's not an individual sport," he said. "It's all about team. I think, collectively, things didn't go our way this year, but it's something we can learn from, moving forward."