Suitors For Ex Dolphins DT Urged To Excersise Caution After Release

Former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins, was surprisingly released from the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday.

Wilkins was coming off a foot injury suffered in Week 5 of last season, a 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos. And – per Adams Schefter – due to the way he has gone about his rehab, the Raiders have voided the rest of the guarantees left on his contract and released the former Dolphin.

ESPN sources: Raiders are releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins with the designation of terminated vested veteran. His time in Las Vegas is now over.

Due to how Wilkins treated the rehab from his foot injury he suffered last season, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2… pic.twitter.com/GXOGSeXz5H

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2025

 

Christian Wilkins Released In Shock Move

This obviously not a normal situation, as “guaranteed” money is very difficult to bypass for teams, but the franchise clearly had legal grounds to do so, given that they went ahead with it on Thursday.

And The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports that in the wake of this; whilst there is clear interest and excitement about the prospect of procuring such a talented player like Wilkins, who signed a whopping 4 year, $110 million free agent deal with Las Vegas last offseason; that some around the league believe this is a warning sign.

After speaking with a few teams tonight, it sounds like the next step for Christian Wilkins will be taking visits and undergoing physicals with potential suitors.
One HC emphasized “He’s not healthy enough to play for the Raiders… Something must not be right”

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) July 25, 2025

“He’s not healthy enough to play for the Raiders… Something must not be right”, Russini notes, referring to the Raiders being notoriously forgiving on medical conditions for players historically. Former defensive tackle, Maurice Hurst, for example; whom the team drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft; was not cleared to play by any of the NFL’s 32 franchises’ medical staffs – except the Raiders’.

Would A Return To Miami Make Sense For Christian Wilkins?

In terms of the depth chart – for sure. Although the team already has Zach Sieler and just drafted Michigan DT, Kenneth Grant, with the 13th overall pick this past April, the unit would unquestionably be bolstered by Wilkins’ appearance.

One issue is cap space: Miami has the second least amount of cap space in 2025, and the fourth least in 2026, meaning that big purchases are not really on the cards at this point unless something major changes.

But say that general manager, Chris Grier, could work it out financially through a Tyreek Hill trade or Tua Tagovailoa contract restructure, there are still other potential problems at play.

Injuries are one thing – and a very important thing. But in the Raiders’ public statement they also mention his conduct on and “off the field”. This refers to the way he decided to rehab his foot, most likely, but could point to some other character issues.

If Wilkins does have character concerns, there is no doubt that Miami are aware of them, having had him in the building for five years prior. Yet, that may be the genesis of the reason why they let him walk, instead of signing him to a big new deal of their own.