In a significant move that could reshape the defense, the Las Vegas Raiders have released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The announcement came on a Thursday, marking a notable shift for both the player and the franchise.
The Raiders made the decision to void the remaining $35.2 million in guaranteed money on Wilkins’ contract, attributing this choice to a breakdown in communication regarding his rehabilitation from an October surgery to address a Jones fracture in his left foot. This type of injury typically sees players returning to the field within three to four months, yet Wilkins was not cleared to participate during the Raiders’ organized team activities (OTAs) back in May, raising concerns about his recovery.
The team’s initial worries were confirmed when they placed Wilkins on the physically unable to perform list as training camp approached. His absence from training camp practices earlier this week further cemented the writing on the wall, leading to his release just days later.
Complicating matters, Wilkins has filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association, seeking to recover the voided guaranteed money. The road to this point has not been smooth. Just before OTAs, the Raiders informed Wilkins that a second surgery was necessary for his foot. However, Wilkins disagreed and opted not to undergo the procedure, igniting a dispute that persisted for months and ultimately resulted in the team’s choice to part ways with him.
Back in March 2024, under the direction of former general manager Tom Telesco and coach Antonio Pierce, Wilkins had signed a hefty four-year, $110 million contract that included $57.5 million guaranteed. The expectation was that he would form a dominant trio with defensive ends Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, crafting one of the league’s most formidable defensive lines.
Unfortunately, the dream never came to fruition. The injury woes began before the regular season, when Koonce suffered a season-ending torn ACL during practice. In a cruel twist, Crosby was also sidelined, dealing with a high-ankle sprain that required surgery later in the year after he reinjured the ankle. Adding to the misfortune, Wilkins suffered his own Jones fracture in Week 5 while making a tackle, subsequently missing the final 12 games of the season. Hopes were high that he would be ready to contribute when the 2025 season rolled around, but the changing tides within the organization spelled uncertainty.
New general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, brought in earlier this year, quickly grasped the precariousness of Wilkins’ situation.
As for the financial implications, should the Raiders’ decision to void Wilkins’ guaranteed money stand, the franchise will only be responsible for his prorated signing bonus through 2028. Initially, Wilkins had received a significant $24 million signing bonus, but the Raiders made adjustments to his contract this past March to free up cap space, converting a $20.5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus and adding a void year. This restructuring resulted in an annual cap hit of approximately $9.925 million through 2028, which the Raiders will now manage moving forward.
With the departure of Wilkins, the Raiders find themselves at a critical juncture, needing to reevaluate their defensive strategy while figuring out their next steps in addressing this significant loss on the roster.
