Mike Vrabel Confirms Patriots Could Be Interested in Christian Wilkins originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Thursday that they plan to release defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. The Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on Wilkins’ contract due to the “failure to maintain his physical condition to play,” upon his release.

Wilkins was recovering from a Jones fracture, which happened to his left foot last October. Sources told ESPN the Raiders suggested Wilkins get an additional surgery on his foot, which he balked at getting, which led to the release.

Per ESPN, 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.”https://t.co/0bV3YltSnThttps://t.co/5oGXiKt6TOpic.twitter.com/Wd3sQWocZW

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 25, 2025

Wilkins is a former first-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft. After five seasons with the Dolphins, Wilkins signed with the Raiders in 2024. Now, a year later, he is a free agent.

Before practice at training camp on Friday morning, New England Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel was asked if the Patriots would think about bringing the former first-rounder to New England.

“I mean, I think we’ll have a conversation,” Vrabel said before Day 3 of training camp at Gillette Stadium on Friday (h/t NESN.com). “This is something that’s pretty new so I don’t have all the information on where Christian is. I know Christian. I recruited him when he was up in the area in Connecticut and going to high school. So, I’m sure we’ll have a conversation.”

Vrabel’s familiarity with Wilkins could be a huge playing card in where Wilkins lands next, that is, if his foot injury allows him to play at full strength in 2025.

The Patriots’ defensive line was not productive in 2024, ranking last in the NFL in sacks. New England addressed the need in free agency and the draft with the additions of Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, and rookies Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson. However, adding Wilkins to the mix would bolster the Patriots’ front four for 2025.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.