The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to release defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was likely influenced by several factors, including :
– Disagreement over surgery: The Raiders wanted Wilkins to undergo a second surgery to address his foot injury, but he declined, opting for a different rehabilitation approach. This disagreement may have led to trust issues between the team and Wilkins.
– Locker room incident: Wilkins allegedly attempted to kiss a teammate on the head, which the teammate took offense to. This incident may have created tension in the locker room and contributed to the team’s decision to release him.
– Concerns about his rehabilitation: The Raiders may have been concerned about Wilkins’ ability to rehabilitate his injury and return to the field, which could have impacted their decision to release him.
– Contract implications: Wilkins’ contract had $84.75 million guaranteed, and the Raiders may have wanted to avoid paying out the remaining $35.2 million in guaranteed money.
– Team dynamics: The Raiders may have decided that Wilkins wasn’t a good fit for their team culture or that they needed to move in a different direction.
By releasing Wilkins, the Raiders are able to create cap space and potentially sign other players who better fit their needs. However, Wilkins has filed a grievance with the NFLPA, which could lead to further developments in the situation .
