After just one year and a whole lot of money
During last year’s free agency signing period, a lot of Minnesota Vikings fans. . .yours truly included. . .wanted the purple to go hard after defensive lineman Christian Wilkins to shore up the interior of the defensive line. Wilkins wound up signing a five-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Well. . .he’s available again.
In a move that can charitably be described as “shocking,” the Raiders have terminated Wilkins’ contract. Wilkins played just four and a half games for the Raiders in 2024 before suffering a foot injury that ended his season. Because of the way Wilkins treated that rehab, according to the Raiders, the team feels that they’re justified in voiding just over $35 million worth of the guaranteed money that Wilkins is still owed.
As one wise man once said, “There will be lawyers.” Wilkins has already filed a grievance through the NFLPA.
It’s worth noting that when Brian Flores became the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019, the first player the Dolphins drafted was. . .Christian Wilkins. I’m not saying that there’s any chance he’s going to find his way to Minnesota or that the Vikings are even going to pursue him. Just a little tidbit to keep in the back of your mind.
Now, I’m not sure what sort of physical state Wilkins is in at this point, though it’s worth noting that the Raiders did put him on the Physically Unable to Perform List when they started training camp. Of course, with the apparent acrimony between the team and the players, it’s hard to tell just how far away from taking the field Wilkins might possibly be.
The other important lesson to be learned here is that a team doesn’t have to spend money in free agency just to spend it. As I said, I was disappointed when the Vikings didn’t land Wilkins, but the Raiders backed an armored truck full of money up to his house. As it stands, the Raiders wound up paying Wilkins a shade over $29 million for what amounts to about 18 quarters of work. And if Wilkins is successful in his grievance against the Raiders, that number is going to go way up.
Not a great return on investment.