The New York Jets should have one of the best defensive lines in football anchored by Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, but is a lack of commitment and maturity holding the former first-round picks back?
According to a report from Connor Hughes of NJ.com, both Richardson and Wilkerson are late to team meetings or skip them entirely “all the time.” The two players were benched for the first quarter of Sunday’s loss against the Miami Dolphins, and head coach Todd Bowles called the move a “coach’s decision.”
While it’s unclear if missing meetings was the reason Wilkerson and Richardson were benched, a source told Hughes the tardiness “definitely” happens with them more than other players on the team.
Wilkerson, who had 12 sacks in 2015, has just 2.5 this year. Richardson has only 1.5. The Jets have not done a good job of pressuring the quarterback, which is one of the main reasons they have given up nine plays of 40 or more yards.
As Hughes notes, Richardson has never been benched for disciplinary reasons but Wilkerson sat for a quarter against the New York Giants last season after he was late to a team meeting. Being a talented player doesn’t make you a good leader, and we’re reminded of that when Richardson makes comments like this.
If Richardson and Wilkerson have made a habit of skipping or being late to team meetings, it’s no surprise the Jets were looking to unload at least one of the two players at the trade deadline.
