Christian Wilkins
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HENDERSON, NEVADA - MAY 29: Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on May 29, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
There’s been some major steam over the past few days surrounding the future of former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
There were two main reasons why Las Vegas cut ties with Wilkins, who appeared in just five games after signing a massive four-year, $110 million deal back in 2024:
He suffered a foot injury and refused to undergo a second surgery for a Jones fracture foot in his left foot.
He allegedly kissed a fellow player on the head, which that teammate took offense to.
Recently, ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan made itknown that the situation that led to Wilkins’ release was a “tough one to overcome,” which is why no team has signed him yet.
However, Raanan’s co-worker, Adam Schefter, dropped a major development regarding Wilkins’ future.
Adam Schefter Drops Major News Update on Christian Wilkins
According to Schefter, not only is Wilkins intending to play this season, but 26 NFL teams have reached out.
“Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta. So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new house as soon as he wants.”
That’s a shocking turn of events.
Turns out, numerous teams have been keeping tabs on Wilkins this whole time, and he hasn’t signed yet because he’s rehabbing from a foot injury, not because of the weird situation that led to his release in Las Vegas.
Not only that, since 26 teams are interested in Wilkins, he has the leverage, which is wild given the accusations against him for inappropriate behavior.
Adam Schefter
Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta. 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.
Why Would Teams Want to Sign Wilkins?
Despite having the worst possible outcome in Las Vegas and racking up just 17 total tackles and two sacks in five games, Wilkins was a rising star at DT.
During his 2023 season with the Miami Dolphins, Wilkins went on a tear, amassing 65 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, and 58 total pressures, appearing in all 17 regular-season games.
But again, there shouldn’t be high expectations that he returns to that form. Wilkins is now 30 years old and hasn’t played in an NFL game since October of 2024.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell did mention on March 2nd that he expected teams to be interested in Wilkins, given the lack of options at defensive tackle in free agency, and with a weaker draft class at DT, teams that need help in the interior are ready to give him another chance.
But if 26 NFL teams are interested, would there be a potential bidding war for a player with a history like Wilkins?
If anything, this situation feels like one of the more fascinating litmus tests for how the NFL values talent versus risk in 2026. On one hand, you have an older player coming off a major injury and carrying legitimate off-field questions that made his previous team walk away from a massive investment. On the other hand, you have a disruptive interior defender who, at his peak, proved he can impact games in a way that very few defensive tackles can.
That combination is exactly why this could turn into a slow-burn market rather than a traditional bidding war. Teams may not rush to sign Wilkins immediately, but the moment he proves he’s fully healthy, the tone could shift overnight.
At the end of the day, this is less about whether Wilkins gets another opportunity and more about when and with whom.