The Las Vegas Raiders have officially released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins with a “terminated vested veteran” designation, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move closes the door on a rocky tenure between team and player, marked by disagreement, injury, and a deepening lack of trust.
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Dispute Over Surgery and Rehab Led to Fallout
Wilkins, who signed a massive four-year, $110 million contract with Las Vegas in March 2024—including $84.75 million guaranteed—appeared in only five games for the Raiders before suffering a fractured foot. The injury would eventually sideline him for the rest of the season, and his recovery became a point of contention inside the organization.
Schefter reports that the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of Wilkins’ guaranteed money last month, citing dissatisfaction with how Wilkins approached his rehab. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden adds that the primary dispute stemmed from Wilkins refusing to undergo foot surgery, despite the team’s recommendation and multiple medical opinions. Wilkins ultimately filed a grievance through the NFLPA, challenging the Raiders’ move.
Head coach Pete Carroll acknowledged the uncertain nature of Wilkins’ recovery during a Tuesday press conference, offering little optimism about his return.
“He’s not ready to get back out [on the field],” Carroll said earlier this offseason. “We’re in the midst of a long [and] challenging process. So fortunately, there’s a lot of time, and we’re going to take every bit of it.”
“It’s still uncertain,” he added more recently. “We sort of have to wait it out.”
From Cornerstone to Cut
Wilkins was signed to be a foundational piece of the Raiders’ defensive front alongside Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby. A former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2019, Wilkins had built a reputation as a disruptive interior presence, recording a career-high nine sacks in 2023 before cashing in with Las Vegas.
In his brief stint with the Raiders, Wilkins recorded 17 tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss before landing on injured reserve. He began the 2025 training camp still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and was recently seen in a walking boot, raising further concerns about his timeline.
Now 29, Wilkins is out of the boot—but evidently out of patience on both sides. The Raiders’ decision to cut ties signals both a lack of faith in his ability to return and a desire to move on from the surrounding tension.
Raiders’ Defensive Line Suddenly Thin
With Wilkins gone, the Raiders’ interior defensive line becomes a glaring question mark. The current rotation at defensive tackle features J.J. Pegues, Leki Fotu, Treven Ma’ae, and Adam Butler, with little in the way of proven starting-caliber talent.
That uncertainty has prompted outside suggestions for help. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report floated veteran Linval Joseph as a potential target. Joseph, 36, played in all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, notching two sacks and 19 tackles. Though no longer in his prime, the two-time Pro Bowler could offer valuable depth and experience.
“He’d be a solid addition for any team needing depth along the defensive interior,” Knox wrote. “The Las Vegas Raiders may need another defensive tackle, as Christian Wilkins still hasn’t fully recovered from last year’s season-ending foot injury.”
What’s Next for Wilkins?
Wilkins’ next steps remain uncertain. While he has filed a grievance over the voided guarantees, his value on the open market could be clouded by both medical concerns and the nature of his split with Las Vegas. If healthy, he remains one of the league’s most disruptive interior linemen. But that “if” now looms larger than ever.
For the Raiders, the release underscores a fundamental shift in how they’re constructing their roster under Pete Carroll. They made a major financial bet on Wilkins to be a defensive anchor. Less than 18 months later, they’re betting again—this time on addition by subtraction.
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