Ex-Dolphins Star Cut by Raiders in Surprising NFL Move

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Raiders surprisingly released Wilkins on Thursday night after just one season with the team. Wilkins had started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the Raiders after a serious foot injury limited him to just five games in 2024. 

Wilkins signed a five-year $110 million contract with the Raiders in the 2024 offseason and was expected to pair with Maxx Crosby to form one of the league’s best pass-rushing duos. Despite a strong start to his Raiders career, with six quarterback hits and two sacks in five games, Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture against the Denver Broncos in Week 5 and never saw the field again.

“Due to how Wilkins treated the rehab from his foot injury he suffered last season, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on Wilkins contract last month and today, Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA.” Schefter tweeted on Thursday evening. 

The inability to reach a shared decision on how Wilkins should rehab his foot likely caused the two sides to reach an impasse, with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reporting that the Raiders wanted Wilkins to undergo foot surgery, while the player disagreed after receiving several opinions.

“With the Raiders voiding the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on Christian Wilkins contract last month, and Wilkins filing a grievance with the NFLPA today, this is a situation that is far from over.” Schefter wrote in a second tweet.

Wilkins' timetable for a return to the field is unknown as he continues to recover from the foot injury, but as he seeks reparations, as well as a new team, the former Dolphins defensive tackle will likely remain in the public eye.