Raiders axe Christian Wilkins over unusual locker room act left NFL teammate 'uncomfortable'

Las Vegas Raiders terminated the contract of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after a single season in the wake of a bizarre incident involving an unnamed teammate.

NFL star Wilkins was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and played in the defensive line of the Miami Dolphins for four years. He then signed a four-year deal with the Raiders worth $110 million, with $84.75 million guaranteed.

He played just five games for the Raiders, who finished last in the AFC West in 2024 with a 4-13 record and lost all six of their games within the division.

ESPN reported that Wilkins' termination comes in the aftermath of an incident in a team meeting room last week.

"Christian Wilkins, who was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, kissed a fellow player on the head and the teammate took offence to it," according to an ESPN source.

"Last week's incident happened inside a team meeting room. One source told ESPN that the interaction was 'playful' but the teammate didn't see it that way. It's not known what the fellow player did following the incident."

The report states that a complaint was made to the team's human resources department and that the NFL Players Association has filed a grievance on Wilkins' behalf.

Wilkins's termination is said to be for football reasons as much as the unfortunate meeting room incident. The DT sustained a fractured fifth metatarsal in week five and went in for surgery that ended his 2024 season.

The $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium serves as the home stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders and University of Nevada. (Image: Alamy)

"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," a source told ESPN. "He was released with the designation of terminated vested veteran."

Wilkins was a big contributor in the five games before his injury last October, tallying "17 tackles, 2 sacks and 6 quarterback hits" prior to the premature end of his season.

The 29-year-old was picked 13th overall by the Dolphins after graduating from Clemson University, where he was twice a national champion and became one of the team's most highly regarded alumni.

The Raiders have not commented on the incident or Wilkins' termination.