The Las Vegas Raiders released Christian Wilkins and voided more than $35 million still left on his contract. He signed a four-year deal with the team prior to the 2024 season, and the Minnesota Vikings had tried to land his services as well.

Now back on the open market, and as a former member of the Brian Flores coached Miami Dolphins, the Vikings defensive coordinator wouldn’t turn down a reunion.

Christian Wilkins would be welcomed by Minnesota Vikings

The Miami Dolphins selected Christian Wilkins with the 13th overall pick during the 2019 NFL Draft. Brian Flores was his head coach from 2019 through 2022. He’s now one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, and he’d be open to his former lineman joining his new team.

Vikings DC Brian Flores was the Dolphins' HC for part of DT Christian Wilkins' time there, and the Vikings tried to sign Wilkins as a UFA in 2024. Here's what Flores said today when asked if he would be interested in adding him to a deep defensive line: pic.twitter.com/c2yxjkeR1T

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) July 28, 2025

Of course Flores isn’t the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to the roster. Head coach Kevin O’Connell probably gets the ear of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah a bit more. That doesn’t mean a top assistant can’t speak into a desired opportunity.

Wilkins has 86 games (82 starts) at the NFL level under his belt. He has already amassed 22.5 sacks and has a whopping 45 tackles for loss in just six seasons as a pro. While Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are nice additions, Wilkins would take the group to a new level.

The Vikings still have cap space to utilize, and while they have a presumed hole at the cornerback position, they could opt to rekindle contract talks. Wilkins was on their radar just last summer, and now he’s available once again.

Narrative gets interesting for Christian Wilkins

There has been plenty of discussion surrounding the abrupt release of Christian Wilkins. He had a foot injury last seasons and Adam Schefter reported that was at the center of the Raiders decision to release him. That is definitely not what the story was on Pat McAfee’s show Monday morning.

Regarding the “incident” involving Christian Wilkins: Per @AdamSchefter, he playfully went to kiss a teammate on the top of his head, and some people have said that player took offense to it.pic.twitter.com/Ed4GdxCpTn

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 28, 2025

“From speaking with people inside the locker room, I think what everybody is dancing around and tip-toeing around, is the fact that when you speak to people there, inside the locker room, they say that Christian [Wilkins] playfully went to kiss a teammate on top of his head. Those same people said that that player took offense to it. So that’s what everybody has been dancing around and tap dancing around. An incident in the locker room where he, allegedly, playfully, kissed a teammate on top of his head. That teammate felt offended by it.”

Adam Schefter – The McAfee Show

Listen, I can get behind that sort of behavior from Wilkins being weird. If that’s enough to release a star player with buckoo bucks left on a $110 million contract though, I’d like to take a pause. That doesn’t seem logical, and NFL insider Mike Florio threw out that’s certainly not what he has heard either.

That is definitely NOT the story that has been making the rounds. https://t.co/22nK6PRGbT

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 28, 2025

At the end of the day we have no idea what to believe as truth. What is reality is that Wilkins is a free agent on the open market and he’s looking for a new home. If the Vikings were to go from their former rag tag collection to an interior that includes Allen, Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, and Wilkins, it would be a laughable embarrassment of riches.

Maybe the Minnesota Vikings still need a cornerback. If they’re going to swallow up the running game and crush opposing quarterbacks on every play though, maybe they don’t?

Leading up to free agency, there was a lot of steam behind the Vikings’ interest in the best interior defensive lineman set to become available, Christian Wilkins, who was drafted in Miami while Brian Flores was head coach.

Vikings thought they were had Christian Wilkins

And as it turns out, those rumors were 100% true. Not only was Minnesota’s interest in the DT legitimate, but according to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) on Tuesday’s Scoops episode of Mackey & Judd, the Vikings thought they had the best offer lined up for Wilkins as free agency was set to open… until the Las Vegas Raiders got involved and flopped an offer on the d-lineman’s table that surprised everyone involved, especially the Vikings.

“O’Connell alluded to this on Monday, just how much work, how much the Vikings were in on some of these defensive tackles, namely Christian Wilkins. Like, what the Raiders gave Wilkins, I think surprised the Vikings. Those 48 hours leading into the official start of free agency, like I’m telling you, the Vikings were feeling very very good about their chances of landing Christian Wilkins.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has worked with Brian Flores to fill as many gaps on defense, as possible… and they had a lot of them. But additions along the line front seven, plus the return of Harrison Smith gives the Vikings some hope on that side of the ball.

Related: We Can Safely Cross Michael Penix Jr Off Vikings’ List of QB Draft Targets

But without a doubt, missing on Wilkins hurt and they know it. Doogie says the Vikings are also very interested in some of the interior defensive linemen who are expected to go on night one of the draft. Assuming Minnesota makes their play for a quarterback that evening, it’s hard to see how they land an interior defensive lineman too, something Wolfson questions too.

“They like a lot of the these interior defensive linemen too in this draft class I don’t know how you maneuver for some of the top guys but they certainly are doing a lot of homework on interior defensive lineman.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

For those who aren’t familiar, Wilkins is a big, 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle who is coming off a career-high nine-sack season for the Miami Dolphins, but now he’s set for free agency, and there’s a lot of smoke tying him to the Vikings.

This makes sense, considering Minnesota’s needs, but that’s not the only reason why. Wilkins was also the first player the Dolphins drafted after hiring Brian Flores as head coach, and just like Mike Zimmer always had an undying loyalty to Anthony Barr, it’s possible the same feeling is replicated here too.

While the Vikings and their fans always have a long wish list of who they’d like to see added to the team, we must realize there are 31 other NFL teams with the same goals. This means adding an elite talent like Wilkins, who’s one of the very best free agents available, won’t be easy. But that won’t impact how strongly the Vikings pursue the game-wrecking DT, who’s said to be a “priority” for Minnesota’s front office this offseason.

“Landing [Christian Wilkins] will likely be a priority” for the #Vikings according to @Alec_Lewis.

📸: @usatodaysports pic.twitter.com/Kc4ddzfJVh

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 9, 2024

“None makes more sense than longtime Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, whom Flores drafted in 2019. Wilkins is versatile, durable and forceful, which is everything Flores seeks. Familiarity is a plus, too. Landing him will likely be a priority, but Wilkins’ market may push Minnesota to around $23 million a year. In that scenario, another question arises: Would you rather offer that type of contract to the 28-year-old Wilkins or the 29-year-old Danielle Hunter?”

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on Vikings’ interest in Christian Wilkins

Lewis brings up a great point. Who brings better value? Paying Danielle Hunter roughly $23 million per season or handing a similar contract to Wilkins? Ultimately, the choice may not be up to the Vikings.

If Hunter finds a better offer elsewhere, then the Vikings pivoting to Wilkins could still be considered a ‘win’ for the offseason. Yet, letting both slip through their grasp could be a big mistake that leaves the front seven without a single elite player in the group.

In turn, it makes a lot of sense to prioritize chasing Wilkins, whether they lose Hunter or not. But could you imagine having both in Brian Flores’ defense? That’s nasty, in a very good way.

Related: Could Reports of Kirk Cousins’ $100M Salary Demands Cause Falcons to Fly Away?

Just from looking at the talent on the defense, it’s clear more help is needed. But that’s what the offseason is for. Eventually, the Vikings will add contributors through the draft, but first up is spending big money in free agency.

Naturally, the top priorities revolve around retaining Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter. Eventually they’ll get an extension done with Justin Jefferson too, but that’s not as pressing, since he isn’t set to hit the open market when free agency begins in less than a week (March 13), like the other two.

Minnesota Vikings reportedly interested in Christian Wilkins

The Vikings have found ways to carve out a bit of extra cap space when they really want a player. This has happened with T.J. Hockenson, Byron Murphy, and Marcus Davenport. In other words, if a player is on their radar, the Vikings won’t hesitate to get involved.

One of the biggest and best free agents available is Miami Dolphins star interior defensive lineman, Christian Wilkins. And now, Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune) believes the Vikings have Wilkins on their radar.

“Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is a name to watch when free agency begins next week as the Vikings seek to repair one of their most troublesome areas from last season.” 

Star Tribune

Christian Wilkins is a 6-foot-4, 310-pound monster who recorded nine sacks last season as a defensive tackle! That’s like Kevin Williams territory as far as his pass-rush ability. But he’s also one of the Dolphins’ best players.

Related: Harrison Smith Unlikely to Retire; Return to Vikings No Guarantee Though

Would they really let him test the open market? So far, the answer appears to be yes, since Miami neglected to use the franchise tag on the 28-year-old. Wilkins is set to hit free agency, and Darren Wolfson (SKOR North) confirms the Vikings are interested.

“I’ve heard [the Vikings] attached to some of these bigger name defensive free agents. Like Christian Wilkins, there absolutely is interest. I’m telling you that right now. There is Vikings interest in Christian Wilkins. Now hey, my guess is there are about 10 teams interested in Christian, but certainly the Vikings are interested in Christian Wilkins.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Nothing to see here, just Christian Wilkins collapsing the pocket versus future hall of famer Zack Martin… pic.twitter.com/GFdMgkFLnL

— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) March 5, 2024

Spotrac has Wilkins’ market value at an estimated $20.2 million per season. This is directly in line with the franchise tag for defensive tackles ($22.1M). While some pundits would have you believe the Vikings don’t have any spending space, that just isn’t true.

In fact, the Vikings project to have well over $100 million in cap space by 2025, even after they give Justin Jefferson a record-setting raise. That flexibility would allow general manager Kwesi-Adofo Mensah to do pretty much whatever he wants this offseason, as long as he deals in multi-year contracts that push necessary salary cap hits out beyond 2024.

Wilkins makes a ton of sense for Vikings

For the Vikings, chasing after Wilkins makes a lot of sense. Not only do they have an urgent need along the defensive line, they also have the benefit of Brian Flores, who as mentioned, was the Dolphins’ head coach when Miami drafted Wilkins 13th overall in 2019.

Related: Mike Florio Reveals Julie and Kirk Cousins as His Sources; Triples Down on Recent Reporting

Flores coached Wilkins for three seasons in Miami, but now the defensive lineman is set for unrestricted free agency, and the Dolphins are starting the offseason $15 million OVER the 2024 salary cap, meaning they’re in more trouble than the Vikings are.

Krammer’s report echoes what other Vikings insiders have indicated, including Alec Lewis (The Athletic) on an appearance Wednesday with Paul Allen on KFAN Radio, in which he made it very clear that Minnesota’s front office is going big-game hunting on the defensive side of the ball, when the “legal tampering period” begins on Monday.

Per @alec_lewis via @KFAN1003, “there have been BIG NAME guys who the #Vikings have, I believe, checked into from a defensive standpoint, defensive talent standpoint.”

Could the Vikings make a big splash for a defensive player this offseason in FA or via trade? 🤔

📸: @SInow pic.twitter.com/yCjpVtQEWJ

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 6, 2024

Previously linked to L’Jarius Sneed, the Vikings may have plenty of tough contract decisions of their own to make, but it’s also clear this front office is sending out a lot of big name feelers on defense, as they look to rebuild that Brian Flores’ crew.

Other players Krammer mentions as free agents to watch for the Vikings include Chris Jones, D.J. Reader, Javon Kinlaw, A’Shawn Robinson, and Shelby Harris. Basically, tons of defensive tackles. Jones is likely too expensive, and supposedly eyeing a return to Kansas City. But Kinlaw and Robinson both have ties to the Vikings.

Related: 8 Free Agent QBs for Minnesota Vikings if Kirk Cousins Leaves, Ranked by Likelihood

Kinlaw’s connection comes from San Francisco, where Adofo-Mensah spent seven seasons, though they all came before Kinlaw’s arrival in 2019. Robinson was in Los Angeles with Kevin O’Connell, along with recently hired defensive line coach Marcus Dixon.

While the Vikings are sure to have their eye on several other free agents this offseason, upgrading the talent along the defensive line is a must. And Wilkins would surely do that.

Watching Christian Wilkins and I don't think I've ever seen a player lose his helmet, pick it up and put it back on midplay all while pursuing the QB lol pic.twitter.com/ItPgGXzBkl

— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) March 4, 2024