NFL Starter Cut from Team After Kissing Teammate in Locker Room: Report
Christian Wilkins, a former standout college football player and star defensive tackle, has been released by the Las Vegas Raiders. The release followed an incident in which wilkins playfully kissed a teammate on the head during a team meeting,but the teammate took offense and filed a complaint with the team’s human resources department. This incident led to an investigation and contributed to the decision to cut Wilkins, though it was not the sole reason.
Additionally,the raiders were reportedly unhappy with how Wilkins managed his rehabilitation from a Jones fracture in his left foot,sustained the previous October. This dissatisfaction allowed the team to void $35.2 million in guaranteed cash from his contract. Wilkins, who signed a four-year, $110 million deal just the previous offseason, lasted only five games with the Raiders, recording 17 tackles, two sacks, and six quarterback hits before season-ending surgery.
Prior to joining Las Vegas, wilkins spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, achieving a career-best nine sacks in 2023. A frist-round draft pick in 2019 from clemson, where he won two national championships, Wilkins’ future in the NFL is now uncertain amid ongoing grievance proceedings handled by the NFL Players Association.
Former college football powerhouse Christian Wilkins can kiss his time with the Las Vegas Raiders goodbye.
The star defensive tackle was released by the team last week following an incident involving a teammate, according to ESPN.
Wilkins “kissed a fellow player on the head” during a team meeting, a source told Adam Schefter.
More about Christian Wilkins, who was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, kissing a fellow player on the head and the teammate taking offense to it:https://t.co/Aq29u7SOjX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2025
The teammate reportedly “took offense” to the interaction.
One source described the moment as “playful,” but the other player didn’t see it that way.
A complaint was filed with the team’s human resources department, and the rest of the story pretty much writes itself.
HR then conducted an investigation, and now Wilkins could forever be the player known for a locker room smooch.
However, sources also said the kiss was not the only factor behind Wilkins’ release.
The $110 million man had been recovering from a Jones fracture in his left foot since last October.
Sources told ESPN, the Raiders were unhappy with how Wilkins handled his rehab.
That was enough for the team to void $35.2 million in cash that was guaranteed.
Wilkins was released with a “terminated vested veteran” designation, according to Schefter.
After being shown the door, Wilkins filed a grievance through the NFL Players Association, so now the lawyers will get involved.
The defensive tackle signed a four-year deal with the Raiders just last offseason.
He was supposed to be a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Instead, he lasted just five games.
Wilkins posted 17 tackles, two sacks, and six quarterback hits before undergoing season-ending surgery.
Before Vegas, he spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He notched a career-best nine sacks with Miami in 2023.
Wilkins was a first-round draft pick in 2019 after a decorated college career at Clemson. He won two national championships with the Tigers.
At this point, Wilkins’ future in the NFL is as uncertain as his contract situation.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
