The Las Vegas Raiders weren’t able to find a new franchise quarterback last offseason, but they still managed to make a blockbuster addition. That came in the form of signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year contract worth $110 million.
Pairing Wilkins, an excellent pass-rushing defensive tackle, with Maxx Crosby, one of the NFL’s best edge rushers, seemed like a dream duo. Unfortunately, the tandem looked a lot better on paper than it did on the field.
Wilkins only made it through five games before suffering a Jones fracture in his left foot, knocking him out for the rest of the season. Then, earlier this week, the Raiders shockingly released Wilkins from his contract, just over a year after signing him.
The move came as a complete shock to outsiders, but NFL expert Josina Anderson hints that there may have been more going on behind the scenes, possibly even a fight with one of his teammates.
“Some league sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders’ fatigue and release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, beyond the management of his foot injury as the reported predominant cause. The Raiders have not officially confirmed an incident or a complaint involving Wilkins and a teammate, while another direct league source confirmed awareness of a situation in which ‘Christian (was) playing around.’”
Josina Anderson on Christian Wilkins
We may never get the real story here. The Raiders seem to be attributing his release to Wilkins’ refusal to have surgery, despite the team’s wish that he would. Yet, if he really did get into a fight with a teammate, perhaps another team leader, then it’s not hard to understand how the Raiders “didn’t see a path forward” with one of their best players.
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