Getty
Former Las Vegas Raider Christian Wilkins.
The Minnesota Vikings swung and missed on two sizable deals to strengthen the middle of their defensive line in 2025, but another opportunity has presented itself this offseason.
Minnesota cut ties this offseason with both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen after inking the two defensive tackles to deals valued at $30 million over two years and $51 million across three years, respectively, last spring. Hargrave landed with the rival Green Bay Packers, while Allen will play for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Vikings need to find suitable replacements for an area of the team that continues to be a weakness, and they have to do it at a reasonable price. Among the best possible solutions is signing a free-agent deal with Christian Wilkins, whom the Las Vegas Raiders released last July for breach of contract and who sat out the 2025 season.
Despite the Raiders’ voiding the remainder Wilkins’ $110 million contract, which he signed in March 2024, and despite Wilkins appearing in just five games over the last two seasons combined, ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that just about the entire NFL has reached out to Wilkins’ representation about his availability, as the DT intends to return to action in 2026.
“Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta,” Schefter reported on Friday, March 20. “So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.”
Vikings Need Christian Wilkins, but Must Acquire Him at Value for Move to Make Sense
GettyFormer Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
Given the numbers Schefter reported, odds are that Minnesota was among those 26 teams to inquire about Wilkins’ availability.
The Vikings finished last season with the No. 3-ranked defense and brought back defensive coordinator Brian Flores on a contract extension. Minnesota is likely to focus its draft efforts on improving the secondary after adding two defensive backs through the first couple of weeks of free agency — particularly the No. 18 overall pick.
Minnesota currently has $8 million in salary cap space and must keep enough room to sign all of its draft picks. The Vikings are also in need of a No. 3 wide receiver to replace the departed Jalen Nailor.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard is a trade candidate, and the Vikings will open up $12.25 million in salary cap space if they can move him in the coming weeks. The most likely scenario is that the team asks recent first-round pick Dallas Turner to pick up the slack in Greenard’s absence, if a trade does eventually materialize.
Christian Wilkins’ Free-Agent Market Remains Relative Mystery
GettyFree-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
In that case, Minnesota can use the cap space it opens via that deal to make an offer to Wilkins.
What Wilkins can command in free agency is an interesting question without a clear answer. That he hasn’t played much at all in two years and that he is already on the wrong side of 30 years old and still injured hurts his market.
However, that so many teams are interested should certainly work in Wilkins’ favor. He makes a ton of sense for a potential contender in Minnesota, but the price has to be right, as Wilkins does not come absent significant risk.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
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