The New York Jets reportedly will ensure star defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson doesn't escape as a free agent by designating him with the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday's deadline, per Kimberly Jones of NFL.com and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Mehta reported Monday that Wilkerson will be owed $15.7 million for 2016.
Wilkerson could have changed teams for the first time in his young, fabulous career and gotten a multiyear, hefty payday on the open market. Instead, he'll stick with the franchise that chose him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft for at least one more season.