Thanks to the longevity of the 5-year mega deal, the New York Jets now have more cap space to play with after the Muhammad Wilkerson signing.
As soon as word came down that the New York Jets inked Muhammad Wilkerson to a 5-year, $86 million deal on Thursday, we cautioned everybody:
Attention #NYJ fans: This does NOT mean Ryan Fitzpatrick is OUT. In fact, Mo's deal might mean MORE cap space at the current moment. #Jets.
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) July 15, 2016
We cautioned all of those sudden Ryan Fitzpatrick bashers who believed Big Mo’s mega deal meant the end of FitzMagic in Florham, Park.
It turns out, it’s the exact opposite.
The long-term signing – as we appropriately pointed out in an article earlier this offseason – actually frees up short-term cap space. In this case, it freed up about $2.3 million, via Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.
The Mo Wilkerson deal creates $5.7 million in cap room for the Jets. His new cap charge is $10 million, per… https://t.co/bF8nzq53iB
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 16, 2016
The once cap strapped Jets who sat at $3.4 million in space are still cap strapped at $5.7 million.
The points are easy and simple. Both the Jets and Fitzpatrick know a long-term deal isn’t happening. Fitz just wants starter money ($12 million per year). The only thing Mo’s contract does is increase the chance Fitz will come back on a one or two year deal.
There are a few top notch candidates as veteran cap casualties, one of which might need to go if Fitz were to walk through those Jersey doors.
So don’t fret Susie, George, Kevin, and Mike, your man Fitz now has an even better chance at strapping up the green and white come August.