BREAKING: Raiders’ Wilkins Deal Slammed By Critics…see more

Signing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $112 million deal in the summer of 2024 was the most notable offseason move by the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilkins had previously played for the Miami Dolphins. In an effort to contain the American Football Conference’s potent offenses, Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce sought to assemble a stout and devastating defense.

It seemed like Las Vegas was making a good move with this. An injury to Wilkin’s foot occurred in the first five games of the 2024 season and sidelined him for the rest of the year. Sports Illustrated ranked Wilkins’ signing as the fifth worst free agent acquisition of 2024, among five that were selected. According to SI’s Matt Verderame, who admitted the injury, it was “somewhat unfair” to include Wilkins.

The Raiders paid out $110 million, with $82.75 million guaranteed over four years, according to Verderame’s report. Kirk Cousins was the only defensive player in free agency to achieve those numbers, and no one else even came close. In his five games played, Wilkins racked up two sacks and eleven solo tackles.

If Wilkins can bounce back in his 29th season, the contract might not have been a complete waste of money. However, the Raiders might come to regret signing him if he doesn’t have a spectacular 2025. These marine mammals According to an article written by Alain Poupart for Sports Illustrated online, the injury to Wilkins was made even more heartbreaking because it impacted the compensation selection that South Florida would have earned for his signing with the Raiders.

“It likely pushed down the compensatory pick they will get for his free agent loss from a third-round selection to a fourth-rounder, though that won’t become official until the league awards the comp picks likely sometime over the next week,” Poupart pointed out in his piece. According to the Raiders, Wilkins’ availability is the most significant quality in his profile.

Wilkins has plenty of time to prove that the money the former Raiders leadership put on him was worth it.On Wednesday, the Raiders announced that they had extended the contract of his defensive line mate, Maxx Crosby, until 2029. Las Vegas will try to hold on to their defensive line, safety Tre’von Moehrig, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and defensive tackle Adam Butler. Furthermore, they will endeavor to get an additional defensive tackle.