Christian Wilkins, once regarded as one of the most formidable defensive players in the NFL, has officially been released by the Las Vegas Raiders. This development unfolded in July 2025, following ongoing disagreements over Wilkins’ injury rehabilitation and contract. The fallout centers around a contract dispute that has created uncertainty about Wilkins’ future in professional football and the Raiders’ salary cap situation.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year deal worth $110 million on March 4, 2024, with $82.75 million guaranteed. The signing was hailed at the time as a significant achievement by new General Manager Tom Telesco, pairing Wilkins with established pass rushers Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby. Yet, a series of injuries and internal conflicts derailed both Wilkins’ season and the Raiders’ defensive aspirations.
Injury and Rehabilitation Controversy
Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot during the Raiders’ Week 5 game on October 6, 2024, an injury requiring surgery and an estimated recovery time of three to four months according to the Cleveland Clinic. Initially, both parties expected Wilkins would recover in time for the Raiders’ offseason training activities and be ready for the 2025 regular season.
However, the rehab process grew contentious. The Raiders believed that Wilkins needed additional medical procedures to aid his recovery, a view Wilkins and his advisors firmly disputed. The difference in medical perspectives caused a rupture in the relationship between player and team. When training camp began, Wilkins was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, signaling that he was not ready to practice or play.
Multiple sources observed that Wilkins remained a visible presence around the team, appearing to work diligently on his rehabilitation. New Raiders head coach Pete Carroll acknowledged the difficulty of Wilkins’ recovery in May 2025 and praised the player’s work ethic, stating,
“Yeah, this has been difficult recovery and he’s done everything he needs to do. He’s been here every day. He’s here early, working hard, but we’re still working it, and he’s not ready to get back out. And we’re in the midst of a long, challenging process here. So, fortunately there’s a lot of time, and we’re going to take every bit of it. We’ve really tried to be really diligent about the way we’ve worked it and the way we’ve monitored it and all of that, and he’s really been on board the whole time. But it has been challenging.”
—Pete Carroll, Head Coach
Raiders’ Decision to Release Wilkins
On July 24, 2025, the Raiders made a public announcement confirming Wilkins’ release. The team‘s statement cited the absence of a clear plan or timeline for Wilkins’ return to the field as the key factor driving the decision. They emphasized a commitment to organizational excellence both on and off the field, implying that the continued uncertainty was untenable for team progress.
Coach Carroll commented further on the decision, explaining,
“It took a long time to make our decision, and we watched our way through the whole thing. We’re keeping really clear with what we said, I think there was no clear path to his return, and so we just had to move on.”
—Pete Carroll, Head Coach
The Raiders also moved to void the remaining portion of Wilkins’ contract, including $35.2 million in guaranteed money, actions they believed fell within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) guidelines. Wilkins contests the notion that he is unavailable to play and has filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association, challenging the Raiders’ decision and the handling of his contract.
Current Situation and Salary Cap Implications
The aftermath of Wilkins’ release has sparked debate among NFL insiders regarding the championship-caliber team’s salary cap and contractual obligations. According to multiple league sources, the Raiders will continue to carry a portion of Wilkins’ guaranteed money on their books until a resolution is reached through the grievance process. One <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC executive explained,
“According to the rules, half of the guaranteed money, whatever that is, will stay on the Raiders’ books and impact their cap space until this is resolved.”
—AFC Team Executive
Meanwhile, the Raiders have begun reshaping their defensive line. Recently, they claimed defensive tackle Keondre Coburn off waivers from the Tennessee Titans, signaling a commitment to building a competitive unit without Wilkins.
Wilkins remains a free agent and is reportedly attracting interest from various teams. Those familiar with his status believe he could pass a physical exam and return to play, though most NFL sources contend that he is unlikely to sign with another team until the contractual dispute with the Raiders is settled. An AFC insider noted,
“Normally, in matters like this, it will be disputed, and the player will wait to sign until the matter is resolved. Why risk a recurring injury when you are trying to settle the first.”
—AFC Executive
Industry Perspectives on the Dispute Outcome
League insiders suggest that the Raiders are unlikely to be granted full relief from the guaranteed payments. Instead, a compromise around paying approximately half of the guaranteed sum is expected. One executive characterized the situation by saying,
“The Raiders will have their team, and Wilkins will have his side. Most likely this gets resolved with the Raiders getting some relief, but probably they pay half.”
—NFL Executive
Another source agreed with the 50% estimate, stating,
“50% relief is what I expect as well. That is a lot of relief, and better than eating the entire thing, but that is what I would expect if I were heading into that scenario.”
—NFL Executive
In addition, one executive noted the tactical approach the Raiders’ new General Manager John Spytek is likely taking with the situation. He said,
“John (Spytek) is a new General Manager, but he is smart and has a good base of guys he can talk to. I have zero knowledge of the situation, and if Christian can prove he is healthy, it is great for him. But John is smart, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had some details of their own. He won’t enter this blind; voiding the money was the smart thing for the team to do; that is a lot of money on your cap, and any relief is a fortunate thing.”
—NFL Executive
Another source added,
“I think both parties know that they aren’t going to get all the money or all the relief, so what amount is the real details?”
—NFL Executive
Raider’s Outlook Moving Forward Without Wilkins
With Wilkins no longer part of the squad, the Raiders are entering a competitive training camp focused on reshaping their defensive line depth chart. Coach Carroll recently emphasized the open-door policy for players vying for positions along the defensive front, stating,
“This place is about competition, it always has been, and it’s just wide open. I don’t need to talk about any names right now. I think in fact, if you watch the rotations, we’re giving everybody a chance, mix guys with the ones and the twos all the way throughout just to gather a bunch of information. I went right back to cut ups yesterday of the first two days, just watching each individual guy, and we’re just putting the information in the vault here, and we’ll figure it out in time. But we have good, young, spunky group of guys now. The young guys that came in this past draft are part of that competition too, so it’s exciting.”
—Pete Carroll, Head Coach
What Lies Ahead for Christian Wilkins and the Raiders
The release of Christian Wilkins marks a significant turning point both for the player and the Las Vegas Raiders franchise. While the dispute over the contract and injury rehabilitation remains unresolved, the Raiders are pressing ahead with roster changes and preparing for the upcoming season without Wilkins. His status as a free agent also places him at a crossroads with multiple teams monitoring his condition and potential availability.
The grievance Wilkins has filed with the NFLPA could take some time to resolve, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding his career and the Raiders’ salary cap. Both sides face difficult negotiations where financial and medical facts will weigh heavily on the outcome. This case also underscores the complex nature of NFL contracts, player health disputes, and team management decisions in today’s professional sports landscape.