Will He Or Won't He? Jets' Wilkerson Has A Choice To Make Next Week

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The gloves may come off soon.

Locked in a contract dispute, Muhammad Wilkerson has so far done everything by the book. He's protested his lack of a new, long-term deal by exercising his rights to skip non-voluntary offseason workouts at the Jets' practice facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.

However, next week the entire tone of this standoff could change, because the Jets will hold a mandatory mini camp and there have been conflicting reports about the big defensive end's intentions.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that Wilkerson has decided to show up for the camp, but ESPN.com said Thursday he had not yet made up his mind.

Regardless of what Wilkerson decides to do, it almost certainly will not impact his demands, which reportedly include about $40 million guaranteed.

Wilkerson's frustration is getting more and more evident. Not long after the New Orleans Saints signed defensive end Cameron Jordan to a five-year, $60 million deal with $33.6 million guaranteed, Wilkerson took to social media and posted a cryptic tweet.

For their part, the Jets have repeatedly stressed that Wilkerson, who had 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks a year ago, is under contract for this season and that they hope to sign him to an extension, even though it doesn't seem like they are treating the situation with any urgency. The 30th pick in the 2011 draft will make a little more than $6.9 million in 2015, the final year of his rookie contract.

General manager Mike Maccagnan reiterated the Jets' stance during Wednesday night's WFAN charity softball game at Yankee Stadium benefiting the NYPD.

"It's going to be a process," Maccagnan said. "We're just going to see. I don't really want to put a timeline on anything. I'm just going to see how this plays out in the near future. I would hope (to get an extension done) at some point in time."

Owner Woody Johnson said basically the same thing a few weeks ago.

"If something works out that's agreeable to both sides, it will get done," Johnson said.

With Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and rookie Leonard Williams rotating at the ends and sandwiching tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison in new head coach Todd Bowles' 3-4 scheme, the Jets figure to have perhaps the most formidable defensive line in the NFL.

However, Wilkerson's absence next week could turn what has been a predominantly positive offseason for the Jets on its ear.