Christian Wilkins Eyes 2026 NFL Return with 26 Teams Interested

Free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins intends to return to the NFL for the 2026 season, with interest from 26 teams as he continues to recover from a foot injury, according to reports from his agent.

The 30-year-old Wilkins, a former first-round pick out of Clemson, has not played since October 2024, when he suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot during his lone season with the Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in five games that year, recording 17 tackles and two sacks before the injury sidelined him. The Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million contract with $84.75 million guaranteed in March 2024, following five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he established himself as a reliable run-stopper and pass rusher.

In July 2025, the Raiders released Wilkins as a terminated vested veteran, voiding between $32.5 million and $35.2 million in remaining guaranteed money. The decision stemmed primarily from concerns over his approach to rehabilitation. Team officials believed he needed additional surgery to accelerate his recovery, but Wilkins declined the procedure. He had already undergone foot surgery in October 2024, which limited him to missing 12 games...