INDIANAPOLIS _ It became official on Wednesday afternoon when the Jets informed starting defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson he will be released.
The Jets will save $11 million against the cap by cutting Wilkerson, an under -performing player who signed a five-year $86 million deal after the 2015 season.
Wilkerson struggled on and off the field during his time with the Jets. He was benched in each of the last three seasons for being late to team meetings. He was suspended for a game at New Orleans because he was late to a team meeting the week leading up to the contest.
Wilkerson was inactive for the final two games of the 2017 season because if got injured, his 2018 base salary of $16.7 million would have been guaranteed.
A 2011 first-round pick from Temple, Wilkerson was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 after a career-high 12 sacks.
But in the next two seasons, Wilkerson had just eight sacks and dealt with numerous health issues, from surgery to repair a broken leg, AC joint sprain in a shoulder and a broken toe. Wilkerson finished his Jets career with 44.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.
The Jets picked up $14 million in cap space on Wednesday with the retirement of Matt Forte ($3 million) and Wilkerson's release.
The Jets have a projected $90 million in cap space as they enter free agency.
