Wilkerson is a quiet man.
The 6-foot-4 Jets star prefers to make his statements on the field and not through the media, but he is fed up and revealed his feelings for the first time Wednesday.
The Jets still have not locked up Wilkerson with the long-term contract they have professed to want to sign him to for two years. Instead, three months away from the season he remains locked in a contract standoff with the team.
“It’s shocking. It’s frustrating,” Wilkerson told The Post in an exclusive interview. “Because I feel like I’ve earned it and I deserve it. It would be different if I was just a mediocre player. I feel like each and every week I’m dominating and it’s showing. The stats speak for themselves. Basically, what more do I need to do? You know what I mean?”
of right now, no. I don’t feel like they want me,” Wilkerson said in his first public comments since last season. “I’m a talented guy. Everybody knows that. I feel like they’re going to get the best they can out of me and just let me go. That’s how I feel. Do I like that feeling? No. I’m a New Jersey guy, born and raised and would love to raise my family here.”
A long-term contract between the Jets and Wilkerson appears unlikely. The two sides are far apart and the gap may have grown even wider this week when the Eagles handed defensive lineman Fletcher Cox a six-year, $103 million extension that includes a $26 million signing bonus. If Wilkerson plays under the $15.7 million franchise tag this season, his earnings for the last two years will total $22.7 million, not even what Cox got in his signing bonus.
Don’t think that deal went unnoticed by Wilkerson, whose asking price now starts at the Cox deal.
“I think he’s a great player. Do I feel like I’m better than him? Yes,” Wilkerson said. “Not to be cocky, it’s just a confidence thing. Everybody in the league that plays feels like they’re the best player at their position. If you ask any NFL player, they’re going to say they’re the best at their position.
“I feel like I’m better than him and whatever [his deal is] I deserve that or better.”