The Las Vegas Raiders have pulled a stunner to kick off training camp week.
Las Vegas is releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to multiple reports on Thursday. Wilkins is just one year into a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders that he signed last offseason. But now his time in Las Vegas is officially over.
The saga had apparently been brewing for a while with Wilkins, 29, currently battling a serious foot injury. Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his foot last October and had to undergo season-ending surgery.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Raiders decided to release him “due to how Wilkins treated the rehab” of his injury. Meanwhile, Wilkins intends to fight back and reportedly filed a grievance with the NFLPA over the situation on Thursday.
Designating Wilkins as a terminated vested veteran, Las Vegas is voiding the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on Wilkins’ contract. However, Wilkins was still able to make $29.2 million last year and another $20.5 million this year already, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds.
The Raiders released a statement on the situation shortly after the news broke on Thursday. They indeed hinted at issues with Wilkins and notably said in the statement that “this franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field.” The Raiders also claimed there was “no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian.”
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 24, 2025
Wilkins, a former first-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019, was placed on the physically unable to perform list by the Raiders earlier this week. After producing 2.0 sacks and 17 combined tackles over five total games for the team last season, Wilkins’ tenure in Las Vegas has now come to an abrupt end.
The situation with Wilkins (a talented pass rusher and run stopper but one who has also sparked controversy during his career) will likely get messier from here, especially now that he has filed a grievance with the NFLPA. But the NFLPA is dealing with some major leadership issues of their own right now, so Wilkins will have a few different factors to navigate as he seeks to recoup as much salary here from the Raiders as possible.
