Packers & Muhammad Wilkerson agree to contract, per report

The Green Bay Packers may have made some headlines on Tuesday afternoon with the reported agreement with free agent tight end Jimmy Graham and the release of Jordy Nelson, but they weren’t done.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported this evening that free agent defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson has agreed to a contract with the Packers. Wilkerson visited the Packers last week to get a feel for the organization. There was a significant connection between Wilkerson and new Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who was the DC with the New York Jets when Wilkerson entered the league.

The contract is reportedly for just one year. (Update: The contract is reportedly for $5 million with an additional $3 million in incentives.)

The Packers now have an expected starting defensive line consisting of Wilkerson, Kenny Clark, and Mike Daniels — which is perhaps the best starting line for a 3-4 defense in the entire NFL on paper. Wilkerson has recorded double-digit sacks twice, in 2013 and 2015, while the two incumbent Packers are both frequently praised for their work as pass-rushers.

Wilkerson took additional visits after leaving Green Bay, meeting with New Orleans and Washington before settling on the Packers as his team for the 2018 season.

The Packers had approximately $29 million in cap space following Nelson’s release but before the contracts for Graham and Wilkerson are factored in.