Raiders shockingly release $110 million player after just 1 season

The Las Vegas Raiders have pulled a stunner to kick off training camp week.

Las Vegas is releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to multiple reports on Thursday. Wilkins is just one year into a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders that he signed last offseason. But now his time in Las Vegas is officially over.

The saga had apparently been brewing for a while with Wilkins, 29, currently battling a serious foot injury. Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his foot last October and had to undergo season-ending surgery.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Raiders decided to release him “due to how Wilkins treated the rehab” of his injury. Meanwhile, Wilkins intends to fight back and reportedly filed a grievance with the NFLPA over the situation on Thursday.

Designating Wilkins as a terminated vested veteran, Las Vegas is voiding the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on Wilkins’ contract. However, Wilkins was still able to make $29.2 million last year and another $20.5 million this year already, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds.

The Raiders released a statement on the situation shortly after the news broke on Thursday. They indeed hinted at issues with Wilkins and notably said in the statement that “this franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field.” The Raiders also claimed there was “no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian.”