Around this time two years ago, Christian Wilkins was the Las Vegas Raiders’ prized free agent signing, inking a four-year, $110 million contract. However, Wilkins’ time in Las Vegas was infamously short, participating in five games before a broken foot ended his 2024 campaign. That led to a disagreement over his rehab last summer, which, combined with a locker room incident, resulted in the defensive tackle’s release.
Wilkins never signed with another team, sitting out all of last season. But that appears to be temporary, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday that the 30-year-old is eying a return and more than three-quarters of the league has shown interest in him.
“Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta,” Schefter posted on X/Twitter. “So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.”
Despite needing some help on the defensive line, it feels pretty safe to say that the Raiders are in the minority as one of the six teams that didn’t check in on Wilkins. They voided the remaining guarantees on his contract over the rehab issue last year, and the NFLPA filed a grievance on his behalf. So far, there haven’t been any updates on the matter, making it an ongoing issue.
While there have been plenty of rumors, it still isn’t public knowledge of what actually happened in the locker room incident that appeared to be Wilkins’ final straw in Las Vegas. Schefter’s colleague, Jordan Raanan, said Thursday on the Giants Nation Show:
“Whatever happened in that locker room, I don’t know exactly what it was, but on top of the injury part, it just sounds like that’s gonna be a tough one for him to overcome. Even if it’s Dexter Lawrence [pushing to the Giants to sign Wilkins], who is one of his best friends (Lawrence and Wilkins played together at Clemson), it doesn’t sound like that’s one where it’s gonna be easy to bring him into your locker room.”
Raanan’s quote made its rounds on social media, and former Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur of The Athletic said that no one can disclose what Wilkins did “for legal reasons”. Tafur didn’t elaborate on whether that’s a reference to the NFLPA grievance or if there is a legal issue with the locker room incident.
Regardless, it seems like the defensive tackle is gearing up for a comeback this fall. Just don’t expect that to occur in Las Vegas.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- What does Josh Nailor bring?: a film breakdown on what the free-agent wide receiver can add to the Raiders’ offense.
- Mark Davis succession plan: “NFL owners are scheduled to vote on a Las Vegas Raiders succession plan that gives Silver Lake co-chief executive officer Egon Durban the option to purchase a majority stake in the team from longtime owner Mark Davis, according to multiple ownership and team executives with direct knowledge of the situation,” ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. wrote.
- Mark Davis girlfriend reveal?: “Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis has sent the internet into a frenzy after seemingly going public with his new girlfriend,” via Daily Mail’s James Cohen. “On Tuesday, the 70-year-old billionaire was pictured looking smitten while attending a birthday dinner for Dr. Alexandria Lightning in Henderson, Nevada.”
- Derek Carr wants Fernando Mendoza to break his records: “I hope Fernando Mendoza breaks every Raider record,” Carr said, via his “Home Grown” podcast. “As a former quarterback, if you feel any other way, there’s something wrong with you. Why wouldn’t you want the next generation to do better than you? Like, I want the best for everybody.”
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