In a surprising move, the Las Vegas Raiders announced the release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on Thursday, sparking a legal confrontation that was anticipated given the circumstances. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA), already navigating its own challenges, promptly filed a grievance on behalf of Wilkins against the Raiders. This situation is layered, involving both the football-related events between Wilkins and the Raiders, as well as significant financial implications stemming from the grievance. As more details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks, let's delve into the current status of this case and its potential outcomes.
While it may appear to be a minor detail, the type of grievance filed is crucial. Players can file two main types of grievances: an injury grievance or a noninjury grievance. In Wilkins' case, he has opted for a noninjury grievance against the Raiders. The core issue revolves around a Jones fracture Wilkins sustained during his first season with the Raiders, following his departure from the Miami Dolphins and his signing of a lucrative four-year, $110 million contract that included $84.75 million in guaranteed money.
Reports from The Athletic indicate that the Raiders informed Wilkins prior to the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) that a second surgery on his foot was necessary, as his recovery from the Jones fracture extended beyond the typical three to four-month timeline. However, Wilkins chose to forgo the second procedure and continue his rehabilitation. The Raiders cited Wilkins' decision as a factor in their choice to release him, but the grievance itself centers around the Raiders' action to void the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money from his contract.
Understanding the timeline for filing grievances is essential. According to the league's collective bargaining agreement, players must file an injury grievance within 25 days of their release. However, since Wilkins' grievance is a noninjury one, he had a period of 50 days to file from when the dispute arose. The NFLPA filed the grievance on Thursday, coinciding with the final day it could do so. Notably, the clock began ticking on June 4, when the Raiders voided Wilkins' remaining guaranteed money, as confirmed by a league source. The Raiders' statement following Wilkins' release highlighted a lack of a "clear path or plan to return to play," a sentiment echoed by head coach Pete Carroll.
To date, the Raiders have disbursed nearly $50 million to Wilkins for participating in just five games. This includes a signing bonus of $24 million, a first-year base salary of $5 million, and a $20.5 million roster bonus that was converted into a signing bonus for salary-cap reasons. Regardless of the outcome of the grievance, the Raiders will face salary cap ramifications for the next few years due to these prorated bonuses.
As the new league year commenced in March, Wilkins' $8 million salary for 2025 and $27.25 million for 2026 became fully guaranteed — the same $35.2 million that was subsequently voided by the Raiders, which means they would only be required to pay it if he remained on their roster. Beyond simply advocating for Wilkins' financial recovery, the NFLPA is keen to win this grievance to prevent setting a precedent that allows teams to withhold money from players over disagreements regarding recovery protocols.
The next phase involves an arbitrator conducting a hearing, although a date for this has yet to be established. Unless there is specific contractual language favoring the Raiders, they face a challenging road ahead. The Raiders were previously involved in a grievance during Antonio Brown's tumultuous tenure with the team in 2019, where they successfully voided $30 million in guaranteed salary. Brown filed multiple grievances that year against both the Raiders and the New England Patriots, ultimately reaching a settlement regarding a portion of his signing bonus.
While this case unfolds, Wilkins has the opportunity to explore options around the league and sign with another team, pending a satisfactory medical evaluation. As the legal battle progresses, all eyes will remain on the outcome and its implications for both Wilkins and the Raiders.
