The most surprising transaction since NFL training camp got under way was the Las Vegas Raiders‘ release July 24 of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Wilkins and the Raiders had “an ongoing dispute over (Wilkins’) foot and whether or not to have surgery.”
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Wilkins played just one season for the Raiders after signing a five-year, $110 million deal with the team, with $57.5M fully guaranteed.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins with the Las Vegas Raiders
For The Win’s Cory Woodroof wrote that the Bengals are one of five teams that make sense as possible landing spots for Wilkins, adding that Wilkins could represent a “promising insurance policy” if defensive ends Trey Hendrickson or Shemar Stewart miss the start of the regular season during contract disputes.
With DT considered Cincinnati’s most pressing need in 2024 free agency, many fans wanted the Bengals to pursue Wilkins.
Wilkins and Bengals receiver Tee Higgins were teammates at Clemson in 2017 and 2018.
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Wilkins scored the Dolphins‘ first touchdown of the game on a 1-yard pass from ex-Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick during Cincinnati’s 38-35 overtime loss to Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in December 2019.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals among candidates to land Christian Wilkins, DT released by Raiders
