Christian Wilkins
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 17: Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders look on during the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The whole situation surrounding former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins continues to be extremely mysterious and odd.
Wilkins, who signed a massive four-year, $110 million deal back in 2024, was cut soon after appearing in just five games for two main reasons.
He suffered a foot injury and refused to undergo a second surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot.
He allegedly kissed a fellow player on the head, and that teammate took offense to it.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted a few weeks before the start of free agency that there should be at least some interest in Wilkins, given that he was one of the more dominant defensive tackles in the NFL during his years in Miami and the “lack of options at tackle.” Yet, two weeks into free agency, no one is even showing any interest in signing him.
Barnwell’s co-worker, Jordan Raanan, who covers the New York Giants, added more vague context to why teams aren’t signing Wilkins.
Jordan Raanan Adds to the Mystery Behind Why Teams Aren’t Signing Christian Wilkins
According to Raanan, the situation that led to Wilkins’ release is a “tough one to overcome,” which is why teams aren’t signing him.
Here’s the thing. Knowing this now, it doesn’t seem like kissing a teammate on the head was the only act Wilkins committed.
What kind of situation, that’s described as a “tough one to overcome,” could Wilkins have possibly committed?
Zero NFL players have commented on Wilkins not being in the NFL, and there’s been little to no information on why teams aren’t signing him, until now. Even then, it’s still not giving the actual reason why NFL teams want nothing to do with Wilkins.
Wilkins himself hasn’t even made any public comments or issued any form of apology.
Even former Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was tight-lipped, saying, “I have no comment to make. We made a decision on what we’re doing, and we’re moving with it.”
Raiders DT Adam Butler also had some interesting comments when asked about Wilkins’ situation:
“I will say whatever you’re going through as a person, athlete, non-athlete, whoever, whatever your struggle is, if you got something going on in life, talk to somebody. Get some therapy, whatever your deal is, it’s your deal… Don’t make any hasty decisions. Get help.”
It’s strange.
Big Blue Film Room
The situation that led to Christian Wilkins’ release is a “tough one to overcome” and the reason he is still unsigned, per Jordan Raanan.
Even with Wilkins being close friends with Dexter Lawrence, Raanan sees the Wilkins situation as tough to bring into a locker room.
(Via
NFL Following a Confusing Trend
The fact that something like this surrounding Wilkins is so mysterious and prevents him from signing with a team is odd, considering there are players like Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who commits multiple speeding violations and allegedly has abusive behavior towards an ex-girlfriend, yet he’s still on a team and is allowed to continue playing.
“Rice has grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as hit her with inanimate objects,” the lawsuit says.
Rice isn’t the only NFL player who’s stepped out of line multiple times and is still allowed to play with their NFL team, but still, what could Wilkins have possibly done that no team wants to sign him?
Seems like the NFL is selective of who they give another chance to, depending on the type of violation they committed.
At this point, Wilkins must have done something much worse than the initial reports, because this is not adding up.