Defensive tackle 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)
The New England Patriots have made a few crucial moves in free agency, addressing some of the team’s biggest roster needs. However, there are other areas that could use additional improvement or depth. And specifically on defense, there’s one intriguing option that could be available.
On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins “fully intends to play this season,” with 26 teams having reportedly reached out to him. However, they are “waiting for Wilkins to be ready” as he’s rehabbing a foot injury.
Wilkins playing career speaks for itself, having spent the first five seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins before signing a four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, due to a foot injury as well as some controversy inside the locker room, Wilkins was released after only five games. He did not play during the 2025 season.
Why Christian Wilkins Signing With The Patriots Makes Sense
Christian Wilkins
GettyChristian Wilkins
Wilkins is a Springfield, Massachusetts native, so this would be a homecoming for the talented defensive tackle.
While they have Milton Williams and Christian Barmore at the defensive tackle position, adding Wilkins will only make them stronger. And given that the Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl LX appearance, they should be a desirable destination.
Across his six seasons playing in the league, he has 372 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one interception, 19 passes defended, and 43 stuffs.
However, the question that remains is what Wilkins will be able to get monetarily in free agency due to the injury, as well as his controversy in Las Vegas. If the price is right, this is a move New England should certainly be at least looking into.
Christian Wilkins’ Las Vegas Controversy Explained
christian wilkins
GettyFormer Las Vegas Raider Christian Wilkins.
Wilkins was informed in July 2025 that he was going to be released by the Raiders after having only played in five games for them due to an injury. And in the initial report from ESPN, they detailed how Las Vegas voiced the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on his contract due to the way he approached rehab from his foot injury.
“The belief was that Wilkins needed another surgery on his foot; he balked at getting it, sources told ESPN. The Raiders then voided the guaranteed money left on his deal due to ‘failure to maintain his physical condition to play,’ the outlet detailed.
However, after this, there was another report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter saying that Wilkins “kissed a fellow player on the head and the teammate took offense to it.”
“The incident was not the sole reason Wilkins was cut, sources said. Wilkins has been recovering from a Jones fracture, which he suffered in his left foot last October,” ESPN added, saying that the incident occured inside a team meeting room. A source told the outlet that the interaction was “playful,” but Wilkins’ teammate did not take it that way and a complaint was filed to the Raiders’ human resources department.