Packers free agency: Mo Wilkerson low-risk, high-reward

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn’t joking when he insisted the team would be aggressive in free agency.

Green Bay is set to sign former New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammed Wilkerson.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is one year, $5 million plus $3 million in incentives.

Wilkerson is reunited with his former defensive coordinator and recently-hired Packers coordinator, Mike Pettine.

In Pettine’s final year as defensive coordinator with the New York Jets, Wilkerson earned his highest career grade, per Pro Football Focus.

Prior to deciding to join the Packers, Wilkerson visited with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins. Clearly playing under a Pettine-run defense again was a key factor in his decision.

The Jets cut Wilkerson earlier this offseason just two years into signing a five-year, $86 million extension.

After signing the contract, Wilkerson disappeared. His production on the field dropped drastically and tardiness/off the field concerns emerged.

In his final two seasons with Gang Green, Wilkerson recorded only 59 tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble and an interception.

His best year was 2015, the lone season he reached the Pro Bowl, where he recorded 12 sacks. Along with ’15, Wilkerson recorded double-digit sacks in 2013 (10.5).

Wilkerson joins Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark, making the trio one of the top defensive fronts in the NFL. Daniels and Clark are thrilled with the addition and made that known via their Twitter accounts.

For the first time since 2011 the Packers finished the regular season outside of the top-10 in sacks. Overall the entire defensive unit hasn’t finished in the top-10 since their Super Bowl winning campaign in 2010.

The addition of Wilkerson will provide a boost and should help the Packers become one of the top pass-rushing teams in the league.

Essentially, his one-year deal is financially great for the Packers and a prove-it contract. Wilkerson will be motivated to show he is still a perennial threat because if his stint in Green Bay is a failure, his NFL career could be in jeopardy.

The 28-year-old will be motivated to prove he didn’t quit on his last team and that he can still compete at a high level.

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Green Bay will be a fresh start for Wilkerson and a perfect opportunity to rejuvenate his career, while being a key part of their defense.