The release of Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins may not be solely due to his foot injury, as initially believed. While the official stance focuses on his lingering medical issues, some observers have noted subtle indications suggesting there could be more beneath the surface. The Raiders might be seeking alternative grounds to justify withholding over $35.2 million in guaranteed money.
Media Speculates Teammate Incident May Have Influenced Wilkins’ Sudden Raiders Release
Though no concrete details have emerged, there is a growing sense of unresolved issues behind the scenes. Various media sources have hinted at a story yet to be fully verified or substantiated. This uncertainty has created a cloud of speculation in the media landscape, with potential elements beyond just an injury dispute driving the narrative.
Christian Wilkins (NFL)Journalist Josina Anderson provided a sharper angle on the matter, reporting that some league sources suspect an incident involving a teammate could have played a role in the Raiders’ decision to release Wilkins. While not officially confirmed by the team, a source close to the league mentioned awareness of Wilkins’ “playing around,” possibly implying inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
Contract Loopholes May Allow Raiders to Avoid Paying Wilkins’ Guaranteed Salary
Whether or not this incident plays a role in the financial and legal battle depends on how the Raiders characterize Wilkins’ conduct. If they argue his release stems from behavior deemed detrimental to the team, similar to how the Ravens handled Earl Thomas in 2020, they could attempt to void the guaranteed money. This would shift the debate from a medical issue to one of personal conduct.
The situation highlights a lesser-known nuance in NFL contracts: a “full guarantee” isn’t absolute. Guarantees typically cover releases due to injury, performance decline, or salary cap issues. However, teams can attempt to withhold payment if they release a player for reasons like violating team conduct policies. The Raiders may be preparing to invoke this clause to avoid paying Wilkins, making the incident with a teammate potentially pivotal.
