Ex-Raiders Star Becomes a Vikings Possibility
The Las Vegas Raiders did the unthinkable last week, dropping fearsome defensive tackle Christian Wilkins from their roster and casting the veteran into free agency.
After a surprising roster cut by the Raiders, defensive standout Christian Wilkins is now a potential target for the Vikings. Here’s what the situation might look like.
And because Brian Flores worked with Wilkins for three seasons in Miami, he’s a common-sense option for Minnesota.
But is that wise?
Christian Wilkins Could be an Option for Vikings
The freshly released defender will need a new team before too long.
DT Christian Wilkins Shockingly Cut by Raiders
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted last Thursday, “A stunner: The Raiders are releasing standout DT Christian Wilkins, the former prize of free agency after just one season of a four-year, $110M deal, sources say. Wilkins, who has been dealing with a serious foot injury, is on the books for $57.5M fully guaranteed.”
The tweet caused chaos because players of Wilkins’ caliber rarely hit the open market in the summer.
Vikings Reportedly Targeted Him Last Year
While the Vikings ultimately utilized a significant portion of their free-agent funds in 2024 on outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, they reportedly “kicked the tires” on Wilkins’ expensive asking price, losing the sweepstakes to Las Vegas, the club that spent $110 million.
In retrospect, thank goodness Minnesota chose Greenard and Van Ginkel over Wilkins.
However, if Minnesota wanted Wilkins then, it may be interested now — that’s the working theory, anyway.
The Injury Fears
It is unclear if Wilkins will play in 2025 — anywhere.
NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack wrote, “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. 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.”
Therefore, it’s a true waiting game to see if Wilkins will play this season. The only thing that is certain? Something is the matter with the guy.
The Brian Flores Connection
Flores took over the Dolphins in 2019. His first draft pick? A defensive tackle named Christian Wilkins.
The Vikings probably wouldn’t be in the discussion at all if it weren’t for the Flores connection. Kevin O’Connell’s roster suddenly has plenty of defensive tackles.
Yet, so long as Flores is the defensive coordinator and Wilkins is attainable via free agency, Minnesota will be near the top of the list for his landing spots. Book it.
The Kissing Allegation
If you’re into gossip, The 33rd Team‘s Ari Meirov tweeted this Monday about Wilkins’ release and alleged behavior: “Regarding the ‘incident’ involving Christian Wilkins: Per Adam Schefter, he playfully went to kiss a teammate on the top of his head, and some people have said that player took offense to it.”
It’s another unclear tidbit about the Wilkins ordeal. Did his faux kiss factor into his stunning departure?
Other Wilkins-to-Vikings Takes
USA Today‘s Cole Smith weighed in on Wilkins last weekend, “Wilkins won’t play out that contract, though, getting released by the Raiders on Thursday. The situation could become complicated, with the Raiders wanting Wilkins to undergo surgery on his foot after he suffered a Jones fracture last October.”
“Wilkins didn’t want to undergo surgery, and now the Raiders voided the last $35.2 million of his contract in June. The NFLPA filed a grievance on his behalf on Thursday. Speculation arose that the Vikings could be interested in Wilkins again. He was the 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019.”
Oddly, the Vikings have transitioned from having insufficient defensive tackles last season — and in the 10 seasons prior — to having “enough” or “too many” in 2025, with the possibility of adding Wilkins.
Smith continued, “That was Brian Flores’s first season as the team’s head coach. And he was clearly interested in a reunion with Wilkins last year. But do the Vikings feel the same way now? If Wilkins isn’t fully recovered from the injury, is he worth signing? The Vikings already brought in free agent veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave this offseason to bolster the interior defensive line.”
“It feels like too much risk for a player with uncertainty and controversy surrounding his injury. This might be a good idea on paper, but doesn’t make sense in reality.”
VT Verdict
VikingsTerritory would absolutely sign Wilkins, so long as the price doesn’t teeter on outrageous.
The Flores connection is enticing, and Wilkins won’t be injured forever — probably not, anyway. Minnesota should adopt the mindset of talent-stacking the depth chart like the Philadelphia Eagles.
Even if Wilkins cannot play in 2025, by 2026, the weirdness surrounding his release will blow over, and some team will end up with a fabulous defensive tackle. Why not Minnesota?
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