The Las Vegas Raiders are making a series of roster adjustments ahead of the upcoming regular season, and one player who won’t be with the team is a defensive tackle who was expected to contribute along the line. That move also means quarterback Geno Smith is down one teammate before the season even begins.
The player recently released was Christian Wilkins, who just a year ago signed a 4-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders — a move that seemed to signal long-term stability for both sides. But things took a turn due to a foot injury.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins reportedly failed to take the necessary steps in his recovery, which became a key reason behind his release. As a result, he won’t even see half of the money he was due under that massive contract.
Wilkins reportedly refused to follow through with recovery
A new report from Ryan McFadden revealed that Wilkins had been advised to undergo an additional foot surgery to address the injury, but he declined. That, McFadden noted, became the main reason the Raiders decided to release him — and void the remainder of his guaranteed money.
HENDERSON, NEVADA – MAY 29: Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on May 29, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“The belief is Christian Wilkins was told he needed another surgery on his foot, but he balked at getting it. The reason the Raiders voided his guarantees was due to what they cited as a ‘failure to maintain his physical condition to play,’” McFadden reported.
How much were the Raiders on the hook for?
As early as June, it became clear the Raiders were not going to pay Wilkins the guaranteed money in his NFL contract — more than $35 million that was still owed as part of the $110 million deal.
“Wilkins has been recovering from a Jones fracture, which he suffered in his left foot last October. Because of how Wilkins has treated the rehab from his injury, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on his contract on June 4, sources said,” McFadden wrote for ESPN.
see also
Geno Smith’s net worth: Earnings and contracts of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
