The Las Vegas Raiders have made a stunning move with former Clemson star Christian Wilkins.
In a shocking turn of events, Las Vegas has released Wilkins — just one year after the defensive tackle agreed to a massive four-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders prior to the 2024 season, including $84.75 million guaranteed.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins was released with the designation of terminated vested veteran, and the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on his contract last month “due to how Wilkins treated the rehab from his foot injury he suffered last season.”
Wilkins, who suffered a broken foot that ended his season last October, filed a grievance with the NFLPA on Thursday, according to Schefter.
The Raiders released a statement on the decision to release Wilkins:
“We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team. This franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.”
On Tuesday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Wilkins’ return timeline from his foot injury was “uncertain.” He underwent season-ending surgery for a Jones fracture after suffering the injury in Week 5 of last season and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of training camp this month. Back in late May, Carroll said Wilkins was “in the midst of a long, challenging” recovery process.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder recorded 17 tackles (two for loss), two sacks and six quarterback hits over five games with the Raiders last season prior to his injury.
A 2019 first-round pick (13th overall), the 29-year-old Wilkins spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins and amassed 355 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss over 81 career games (77 starts) during his time in Miami. He hadn’t missed a game since 2020 before his injury on Oct. 6 against the Denver Broncos.