Christian Wilkins To Play In 2026, Has Interest From 26 Teams

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, 26 teams have reached out to former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ camp in anticipation of his return to the NFL in 2026. Per agent David Mulugheta, by way of Schefter, Wilkins is still rehabbing a foot injury that he suffered in 2024.

Last July, the Raiders voided $32.5 million in guarantees on Wilkins’ deal, as he did not follow their medical advice following a Jones fracture injury. According to reports, the Raiders believed that Wilkins needed surgery, which he refused. As far as we know, Wilkins is still attempting to rehab this foot injury without surgery, and his camp has been unable to claw back the $32.5 million that he lost over this decision.

The Green Bay Packers have the cap space to swing a Wilkins signing, and Wilkins won’t count as a compensatory free agent, meaning he won’t offset a draft selection if the Packers sign him. Wilkins is more of a three-technique, which in the Packers’ new 3-4 scheme would be a 3-4 defensive end, than a nose tackle, but the team is in desperate need of defensive linemen. At the moment, Green Bay’s projected 3-4 defensive ends for the 2026 season are Devonte Wyatt (who should be ready to return from his season-ending ankle injury by the start of training camp) and the recently-signed Javon Hargrave (who, to be fair, was played out of position as a 3-4 nose tackle last season).

For what it’s worth, Mulugheta is an Athletes First agent, the same agency that reps both head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. The Packers have had strong ties with Athletes First, who also represented Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews in the past. Mulugheta alone represents Jordan Love, Micah Parsons, Xavier McKinney (and previously Kingsley Enagbare and Malik Willis) on the Packers’ 2026 roster. Other Athletes First players in Green Bay are Aaron Banks, Lukas Van Ness and Josh Whyle.

Wilkins played one year for the Raiders after playing his rookie deal with the Miami Dolphins. He was selected 13th overall in the 2019 draft out of Clemson and made 77 starts for the Dolphins. His on-field stretch with Las Vegas lasted just five healthy games.