The Las Vegas Raiders released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on July 24, and a report has emerged suggesting that the reason behind his release may be linked to an incident involving a teammate. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilkins allegedly “playfully kissed” a teammate on top of their head during a team meeting room interaction.
However, Schefter’s report raises questions about the accuracy and motivations behind the complaint. If the incident was indeed playful, why did the teammate file an H.R. complaint? Most players would not take such action against a teammate over a minor gesture like a kiss on the head.
The Raiders voided Wilkins’ $35.2 million in remaining guarantees on June 4, supposedly due to his failure to rehab his foot injury. Yet, they waited until July 24 to release him, sparking speculation about whether the incident was the final straw or simply a convenient reason to wipe out his guarantees.
Without access to the H.R. report and related documentation, it’s impossible to know the truth behind Wilkins’ release. However, if he and his agent want to set the record straight, they can authorize the Raiders to release the report with the teammate’s name redacted.
The mysterious circumstances surrounding Wilkins’ release have raised questions about the team’s motivations and the NFL Players Association’s involvement. With the official notice of his termination due to be released, it may shed light on whether the incident played a role in his release and its impact on his guarantees.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-raiders-teammate-filed-h-r-complaint-over-christian-wilkinss-kiss-on-the-head