
The Las Vegas Raiders are parting ways with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, following a contentious situation regarding a foot injury that sidelined him early in the 2024 season. Wilkins is releasing the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on his contract, as reported by ESPN. The underlying issue was Wilkins’ choice to rehab his injury rather than undergoing surgery as the Raiders had preferred.
The team expressed their decision to release Wilkins in an official statement, emphasizing, “We believe it’s best for the organization to move forward. Wilkins has been notified of his release. Our franchise is committed to excellence both on and off the field, and as there is no clear pathway from Christian regarding his return, this move is necessary as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
As training camp begins, Wilkins is designated on the physically unable to perform list. He was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, signing a lucrative four-year deal worth $110 million with the Raiders in March 2024, after previously achieving notable success with the Miami Dolphins where he recorded a career-high nine sacks in 2023. However, complications from a Jones fracture led to a truncated season last year.