Christian Wilkins ‘Playful Kiss’ Made Player Uncomfortable, Played Role In Release

Last summer, the Las Vegas Raiders made a big splash in free agency by signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal. Unfortunately, Wilkins played just five games before suffering a Jones fracture in his foot, ending his season.

That injury, and Wilkins’ recovery from it, led to some contention this offseason between the lineman and the Raiders, with the franchise shockingly announcing that they were not only waiving Wilkins, but also looking to void the remaining guaranteed money he was owed. But that apparently wasn’t the only issue with Wilkins.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins reportedly tried to playfully kiss a Raiders teammate on the head, which the player took offense to, playing a role in his release:

Christian Wilkins, who was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, kissed a fellow player on the head and the teammate took offense to it, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The incident was not the sole reason Wilkins was cut, sources said. Wilkins has been recovering from a Jones fracture, which he suffered in his left foot last October.

Because of how Wilkins has treated the rehab from his injury, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on his contract June 4, sources said. He was released with the designation of terminated vested veteran, sources told Schefter. Wilkins asked the NFL Players Association to file a grievance on his behalf, and the union did so Thursday.

The Wilkins situation continues to get more unusual. Wilkins is certainly known for being an outgoing personality, as evidenced by different videos and “Mic’d Up” moments, but not everyone is going to want to play along with that, and this Raiders player was one of them.

As noted, this wasn’t the sole reason the Raiders decided to part ways with Wilkins; the recovery from injury likely played a bigger role. But everything adds up, and the franchise ultimately decided that he didn’t fit their vision of the future and thus, moved on.

Maxx Crosby believes Jamal Adams can help the Raiders this season

While the Raiders have parted ways with Christian Wilkins, the team still has one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL in Maxx Crosby. He remains the Raiders’ leader, particularly on the defensive end and with the team recently signing veteran safety Jamal Adams, Crosby had a lot of positive words on what Adams can bring and how he can help the team this season.