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We’re beginning to learn more about the Christian Wilkins situation. Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders mysteriously released Wilkins and voided the remaining $35 million owed on his contract.
“We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins, and he has been informed of his release from the team. This franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.”
Initial reports claim the team cut Wilkins over a dispute regarding his recovery from a broken foot.
“We took a long time to make our decision,” Carroll said. “We watched our way through the whole thing. We’re keeping it really clear with what we said. I think there was no clear path to his return, so we just had to move on.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins was cut after he allegedly tried to playfully kiss a teammate on the head in the locker room.
“From speaking to people inside the Raiders locker room…
They say that Christian Wilkins playfully went to kiss a teammate on the top of his head..
They say that player took offense to it and that’s what everybody has been dancing around”@AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/das6W3HesB pic.twitter.com/MGfjATaiNh
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 28, 2025
Schefter also spoke about the issues regarding Wilkins’ recovery from injury.
“His contract was voided because there was a disagreement over the way he was going about his rehab. The team had been asking him to have surgery over and over The surgery never got done and the team grew increasingly frustrated”
“His contract was voided because there was a disagreement over the way he was going about his rehab..
The team had been asking him to have surgery over and over..
The surgery never got done and the team grew increasingly frustrated” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/PSdsMIQ2qu pic.twitter.com/8eWJsmFkqz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 28, 2025
Wilkins is currently fighting the Raiders to receive his money, considering the $35 million owed was guaranteed.
NFLPA had 50 days to file a grievance on behalf of Christian Wilkins after the Raiders voided $35.25 million worth of guaranteed money in his contract on June 4 — $8 million for this year, $27.25 million for next year. The grievance was filed this morning. A legal battle awaits.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2025