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The Vikings Shouldn’t Rule Out Christian Wilkins
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- The Vikings Shouldn’t Rule Out Christian Wilkins
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Former Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins remains a free agent and evidently wants back in the NFL after a year off. If so, the Minnesota Vikings should sign him. It's as simple as that.
There are just too many angles for Wilkins to Minnesota to be merely a pipe dream.
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Wilkins reportedly has a growing free-agent market , and there's no reason the Vikings shouldn't be at the front of the line.
Wilkins Could Solve the Vikings DT Hole
Get Wilkins to Minny.
Christian Wilkins celebrates after being selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins during the first round of the NFL Draft in downtown Nashville, Apr 25, 2019. The Clemson standout begins his professional journey as one of the top defensive tackle prospects, bringing energy and leadership to Miami's defensive rebuild. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
26 Teams Allegedly Kicking the Tires on Wilkins
All signs point to a Wilkins return — sometime soon.
SBNation 's Justis Mosqueda wrote Friday , "According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 26 teams have reached out to former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins ' camp in anticipation of his return to the NFL in 2026. Per agent David Mulugheta, by way of Schefter, Wilkins is still rehabbing a foot injury that he suffered in 2024."
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"Last July, the Raiders voided $32.5 million in guarantees on Wilkins' deal, as he did not follow their medical advice following a Jones fracture injury. According to reports, the Raiders believed that Wilkins needed surgery, which he refused. As far as we know, Wilkins is still attempting to rehab this foot injury without surgery, and his camp has been unable to claw back the $32.5 million that he lost over this decision."
In fact, it would be strange if 26 teams called Wilkins, and the Vikings were not among them.
The Brian Flores Connection
Flores' tenure as Miami Dolphins head coach began in 2019, and that spring, the team drafted Wilkins as the very first draft pick of the Flores era. Flores didn't simply inherit Wilkins; he helped mold him into a key player on Miami's defensive line. This history is significant because, should the Vikings pursue Wilkins, Flores already possesses intimate knowledge of his capabilities, his fit within a defensive scheme, and how best to utilize him.
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Furthermore, Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel — one of Flores' trusted players, now in Minnesota — were Dolphins teammates. The existing relationship streamlines the assessment of Wilkins' potential integration into the locker room.
For Vikings interim boss Rob Brzezinski, evaluating Wilkins to bolster the run defense is therefore straightforward. Flores offers firsthand insight; he knows the guy — better than most.
The Resume and the Price
The on-the-field connection between Wilkins and the Vikings is logical. Wilkins is consistently one of the league's best run defenders, a strength the Vikings can put to use on Day One.
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Moreover, Wilkins is currently available, and his next contract is projected to be significantly less than his previous one. His Pro Football Focus run defense grades since entering the league demonstrate his consistently high-level play:
2025: DNP
2024: 80.2
2023: 69.5
2022: 78.9
2021: 80.8
2020: 73.9
2019: 66.6
Wilkins is 30 and remains an interior lineman capable of immediate impact.
What happened to Wilkins in Las Vegas? Well, an unexpected offseason development complicated everything. Following a dispute over the treatment of a foot injury, the Raiders released Wilkins, voiding his guarantees. This disagreement, compounded by a bizarre locker-room incident involving a teammate, quickly escalated, creating an irreparable rift.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins warms up on the field before a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Sep 15, 2024. Wilkins prepares for action as a key interior presence, bringing strength and disruption to the Raiders defensive front early in the season. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Wilkins then entered the free-agent market with diminished leverage compared to 2024, when Las Vegas offered him $110 million over four years. His next contract will likely focus on re-establishing himself in the league. Perhaps in the ballpark for $5 million.
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For a squad like Minnesota, signing Wilkins is an obvious move: a proven player at a reduced cost who can immediately fill a critical role. That works for the Vikings, a team with a skimpy budget at the moment.
Out with Allen + Hargrave
Why would Minnesota need Wilkins in the first place? Pretty simple — the club cut ties with two starting defensive tackles a couple of weeks ago, saying goodbye to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave , who spent the 2025 campaign in the Twin Cities, with disappointing outcomes.
The Vikings still have Jalen Redmond in the house for DT duties, but after him on the depth chart, the outlook gets thinner. So, fans expect interim general manager Rob Brzezinski to pick an interior defensive lineman early in next month's draft — and/or sign Wilkins.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins watches the action from the field during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium, Dec 24, 2023. Wilkins surveys the offense between plays, anchoring the interior while Miami battles a playoff-caliber opponent late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
If 26 teams are chatting with Wilkins about a prove-it contract, the Vikings, because of the Flores connection, have no reason not to be at the top of the list. Think of it this way: the team that just cut its two starting defensive tackles and the franchise that employs Flores, who brought Wilkins into the NFL, should be the number-one-with-a-bullet suitor for Wilkins's services.
It just makes too much sense.
Wilkins is also a two-time National Champion from the Clemson days. He'll turn 31 in December.
