Christian Wilkins, recently released by the Las Vegas Raiders, was involved in an incident where he kissed a fellow teammate on the head during a team meeting. While one source described the action as “playful,” the teammate took offense. The nature of the interaction and the other player’s response remain unclear.
Following the incident, a formal complaint was filed with the Raiders’ human resources department, which initiated an internal investigation.
Injury Rehab Concerns and Voided Guarantees Played Key Role in Wilkins’ Release
While the kissing incident drew attention, sources indicate it was not the sole reason for Wilkins’ release. The defensive tackle had been recovering from a Jones fracture in his left foot, sustained in October 2023. The team reportedly had concerns about how Wilkins was handling his rehabilitation process. These concerns played a significant role in the Raiders’ decision to terminate his contract.
Christian Wilkins (NFL)Due to dissatisfaction with his approach to rehab, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 millions of guaranteed money from Wilkins’ contract as of June 4. He was released under the designation of a “terminated vested veteran,” a specific roster classification. In response, Wilkins requested the NFL Players Association to file a grievance on his behalf, which the union did on Thursday.
Wilkins’ Silence Met with Raiders’ Refusal to Comment on Controversial Release Decision
Despite the controversy surrounding Wilkins’ release, the Raiders have chosen not to comment publicly on the matter. When approached, a team spokesperson declined to provide any statement, leaving much of the situation open to interpretation based on insider reports and anonymous sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Christian Wilkins joined the Raiders last offseason with high expectations, signing a four-year, $110 million deal that included $84.75 million in guaranteed money. Prior to that, he had a solid five-season run with the Miami Dolphins, culminating in a career-best nine sacks in 2023. In the 2024 season, before undergoing surgery for his foot injury, he managed to record 17 tackles, 2 sacks, and 6 quarterback hits in just five games, highlighting his value on the field.
