A surprise release just went down in Las Vegas.
The Raiders are cutting Christian Wilkins in the wake of a dispute over whether or not he should undergo surgery on his injured foot and are attempting to void $35.25 million in remaining guarantees on the defensive tackle's contract, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.
A grievance has been filed on Wilkins' behalf to fight such a void taking place, per Rapoport.
Las Vegas has since confirmed releasing Wilkins.
"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," the Raiders said in a statement. "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."
Wilkins, who fractured his foot last season and missed all but five games, went on the physically unable to perform list to begin training camp and had an uncertain timeline to return. While the team wanted him to get surgery, the 29-year-old declined after receiving several opinions, according to Rapoport.
It's a shocking divorce, especially considering Las Vegas signed the defensive tackle to a four-year, $110 million extension only a year ago.
What does Wilkins' release mean for Raiders?
Wilkins was the biggest get for the Raiders last offseason, widely considered the best defensive tackle available and one of the top free agents overall, capable of turning a team's trenches around.
Instead, Wilkins delivered only 17 tackles and two sacks across his five games in silver and black before injury struck. He underwent surgery for a Jones fracture, and by organized team activities this offseason was still not ready to participate despite being in attendance. New head coach Pete Carroll described Wilkins' recovery as "challenging" at the time.
With no quick or easy solution in sight, Las Vegas made the difficult decision to move on, creating a hole on the interior far beyond the short term most expected as Wilkins worked to get back on the field.
Adam Butler remains one of the starters at defensive tackle, and free-agent signee Leki Fotu seems most likely to slot in next to him. Fotu, last with the Jets after four seasons on the Cardinals, has made 22 starts, though he doesn't pack nearly the same pass-rushing punch as Wilkins -- he has just 3.5 career sacks.
There's now also a much quicker avenue to playing time for a pair of Day 3 rookies, fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway and sixth-rounder JJ Pegues, assuming the Raiders don't go out and add another veteran.
What is in store for Wilkins' future?
As for Wilkins, the 2019 first-round draft pick is now an injury-plagued season and a seemingly contentious split with the Raiders removed from his breakout 2023 campaign for the Dolphins in which he tallied nine sacks.
Somewhat underappreciated without a Pro Bowl to his name across six NFL seasons, Wilkins boasts 372 career tackles, 56 QB hits, 22.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Teams will certainly come looking, but questions will loom given his departure from the Raiders and the status of his foot.
Wilkins can make an impact for any team, from a Super Bowl contender down to those still looking to build, but he must get healthy.
Once he does, he can find his next home.
