FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (WFAN) -- The Jets have officially had enough of Muhammad Wilkerson.
In an expected move, the team released the problematic defensive end Wednesday, ending his seven-year tenure with Gang Green.
The signs of trouble between the Jets and Wilkerson seemed to begin not long after he signed a five-year, $86 million contract before the 2016 season.
That season, he was benched for the first quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins for being late to team meetings. The day before another game, he reportedly missed a walk-through and a defensive meeting, where a birthday party for him was planned.
Last year, Bowles benched Wilkerson for most of the first quarter of the Jets’ Dec. 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs for being late to another team meeting. A couple of weeks later, he was suspended for a game against the Saints after he was late for yet another meeting. He didn't play in any of the team's final three games.
Meanwhile, his production on the field dropped off considerably, too. The year before he signed his megacontract, Wilkerson, a first-round draft pick in 2011, had 12 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl. But in the two seasons after, he had just eight total sacks. His 3 1/2 sacks last year were his lowest total since his rookie season.
By releasing Wilkerson, the Jets will be hit with $9 million in dead salary cap space, but also free up $11 million to spend. Combined with the retirement of running back Matt Forte, also Wednesday, the Jets now have $94 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac.com.