THIS MAKES MO SENSE!

Sheldon-less in Seattle: Expect Richardson’s return

The Jets are positioning themselves for a good old-fashioned defensive line switcheroo that could make everyone look like freakin’ geniuses. The Daily News has learned that Gang Green would to like reunite with former Pro Bowler Sheldon Richardson this offseason after getting rid of the disgraced Muhammad Wilkerson. If the Jets pull this off, it would be the rare win-win-win move for a franchise perpetually lampooned for screwing up. Consider all the potential victors: 1) General manager Mike Maccagnan would be hailed as a hero for trading away Richardson to Seattle for a 2018 second-round pick and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse nine days before the start of the season only to get the defensive lineman back after what amounted to a one-year rental.

2) Todd Bowles would get back a familiar player with immense skills to replace Wilkerson on the defensive line.

3) Richardson would return to a place that he never wanted to leave in the first place.

The Jets aren’t the only ones who want a reunion, according to team and league sources. My understanding is that Richardson, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, would love to return to the team that drafted him, too.

Richardson, 27, will undoubtedly test the free agent market, but it seems unlikely that suitors will have to break the bank for his services given his recent production (37 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU, 1 INT with the Seahawks).

Maccagnan is in a similar position with Richardson as his predecessor was with Darrelle Revis. Former Jets GM John Idzik traded Revis to the Buccaneers after the 2013 season (for a draft pick that ironically turned out to be Richardson), but inexplicably refused to bring him back after Tampa Bay cut the veteran cornerback after a regime change after one year. Revis went on to help the Patriots win the Super Bowl in 2014.

Maccagnan can, in effect, get a free second-round pick out of all of this if he brings back Richardson on a fair deal that won’t cripple the finances of a team that will have more than $80 million in salary cap space this offseason.

Bowles would get back a player that has proven that he can be a difference maker as a three-technique defensive tackle. Although Bowles & Co. used the athletic Richardson in a variety of ways (including outside linebacker) for two seasons due to a defensive line logjam, the player can be a valuable asset when used at his natural position. Bowles, frankly, could use as many game-changers as he can get.

Richardson made it clear all along that he wanted to be a part of the Jets’ rebuilding process before he was traded. You wouldn’t expect him to take any home-town discounts – he’s from St. Louis, anyway – but the Jets would have a great chance to bring him back if all things are equal.

A Richardson reunion would be a coup for the Jets in the wake of the Wilkerson disaster that has dragged on far too long.

Wilkerson actually showed up on time for the Wednesday morning team meeting, according to eyewitnesses, which was a monumental accomplishment given his football-sized track record for tardiness. Alas, the organization didn’t dole out a gold star to him for his punctuality.

Wilkerson practiced on Wednesday, but there are plenty of jaded people in the building, who just want this saga to end. Wilkerson isn’t worth the time or aggravation anymore. His repeated rules violations, excuse-making and poor onfield production have ticked off folks on One Jets Drive.

Wilkerson, however, continues to live in a state of delusion.

These fantastical words actually came out of the man’s mouth after practice on Wednesday:

1) “I feel like I’ve earned everything I’ve gotten,” Wilkerson said about whether he’s earned the $37 million that the Jets have paid him the past two years.

2) “I feel like I’m a leader because of the things I’ve done, you know, helping, you know, build this organization,” Wilkerson said with a straight face.

Wilkerson declined to discuss whether Jets fans should trust him, because, well, he couldn’t care less about Jets fans. Real talk: They have been nothing more than a necessary evil in his world.

Wilkerson has had a number of enablers through the years, but none bigger than agent Chad Wiestling, whose desperate attempt to paint Bowles as the bad guy last week for his client’s transgression that prompted a one-game suspension was particularly pathetic. Wiestling didn’t return several messages from the Daily News to explain his disgraceful ploy to pin this latest mess on the head coach rather than advising Wilkerson to take responsibility for his actions for a change.

Wilkerson declined to address Wiestling’s underhanded tactic.

It’s only a matter of time before Team Mo finds a sympathetic ear/apologist to get out the same, old tired talking points masked as contrition. Blah, blah, blah… The Jets just want this guy out of their hair. Contractual logistics (CBA/NFLPA) have complicated matters, but make no mistake: Wilkerson’s days with the Jets are numbered. It’s a matter of when – not I if – he’s done with this team. t doesn’t make financial or common sense for the team to play Wilkerson in the final two games against the Chargers and Patriots. His $16.75 million base salary for 2018 is guaranteed only for injury right now. It won’t become fully guaranteed until the third day of the new league year in March, so the Jets would be taking a needless risk to play Wilkerson in the final games. If he suffered a grievous injury over the final two weeks that kept him out of the 2018 season, the Jets would be on the hook for the full $16.75 million.

Why would any smart organization take such a significant risk in a couple meaningless games for this player? It’s not going to happen.

Wilkerson isn’t a part of the Jets’ future. Richardson just might be.

The Jets could look very smart. @MMehtaNYDN