In a surprising turn of events, an old video of Christian Wilkins playfully kissing a former teammate on the neck has resurfaced, adding another layer to the recent news surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to release the star defensive tackle. This eye-catching incident follows after the Raiders parted ways with Wilkins, less than a year after inking a lucrative four-year, $110 million deal with him.
The Raiders opted to release Wilkins last week, choosing to void the remaining $35.2 million in guaranteed cash, citing disagreements over his approach to rehabbing a lingering foot injury. This move was countered by the NFL Players Association, filing a grievance on Wilkins’ behalf, challenging the team’s decision.
Highlighting the drama, ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped more tidbits on “The Pat McAfee Show.” According to Schefter, Wilkins once landed in hot water over a seemingly innocent act—planting a playful kiss on a teammate’s head. This innocent act, however, didn’t sit well with the unnamed player, adding to the swirling controversies.
Amidst the buzz, a clip shared by ML Football on X/Twitter gained traction, showing Wilkins, then with the Miami Dolphins, playfully kissing Mike Gesicki on the neck. This happened after their match against the New England Patriots in Week 2, 2023. For historical context, Wilkins and Gesicki were Dolphins teammates from 2019 until Wilkins’ move in 2022.
The Dolphins clinched victory in that outing, 24-17, with Wilkins showcasing his prowess by notching one sack, five solo tackles, and a tackle for loss. Gesicki did his part on the offense too, hauling in five passes for 33 yards in the game, albeit in a losing effort.
Reflecting on Wilkins’ last season, he managed to appear in only five games before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, in those appearances, he recorded two sacks and 17 tackles, hinting at potential that kept fans excited.
Christian Wilkins’ stint with the Raiders initially looked like a match made in heaven. After a standout 2023 season with the Dolphins, registering a career-high nine sacks, the Raiders understandably jumped at the chance to pair him with Maxx Crosby in their relentless pass rush. Viewed through the lens of hindsight, though, one wonders if the Raiders were a tad too eager, offering star-level money to a player after only one standout season. Prior to 2023, Wilkins hadn’t crossed the threshold of 4.5 sacks in a single season, setting the stage for what now feels like a classic case of “buyer beware” in the NFL.
