John Spytek now looks like a genius for a two decisions he made months ago that didn't raise any questions at the time
The saga has been ongoing all offseason between the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins' injury situation. Last year, he broke his foot after jumping over a teammate to celebrate a sack. This season, he won't be doing that in silver and black. When the injury happened, it was seriously one of the […]
The saga has been ongoing all offseason between the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins' injury situation. Last year, he broke his foot after jumping over a teammate to celebrate a sack.
This season, he won't be doing that in silver and black.
When the injury happened, it was seriously one of the weirder things ever, because the guy didn't look hurt. He fell after jumping over Adam Butler, who got a sack, and everyone just looked it off. He missed the rest of the year, and this allowed guys like Jonah Laulu and others to step up and actually show the Raiders what they could do.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Raiders are now releasing Wilkins. Due to how Wilkins treated his rehab, meaning the team wanted him to get surgery on his foot, and he didn't, the Raiders have voided the remaining $35 million of guaranteed money left on Wilkins' contract. Wilkins finished his Raiders career with two sacks and 17 tackles in five total games.
Maybe this was something that John Spytek always saw coming? If he thought months ago that there was a world where Wilkins played the entire season, I'm not sure why Spytek and company would have drafted two defensive tackles.
Some reporters had mentioned before the 2025 NFL Draft that Wilkins was still in a boot, and the new regime would likely express interest in drafting a defensive tackle high in the draft. Obviously, they drafted Ashton Jeanty and then two defensive tackles on days two and three. So, that report was somewhat false, considering people were saying that in regards to the Raiders possibly taking Michigan DT Mason Graham.
Then, Wilkins was seen at minicamp, but his feet weren't shown in all of the pictures we were seeing on the Raiders' official team site; however, he was shown in pictures outside in a jersey, where it looked like he was participating. Come to find out, Wilkins was still injured and very much still in a boot. Just before training camp, the Raiders placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
From there, we have all been thinking that he might get healthy before week one, or he stays on the PUP list and misses the first four games of the season at most.
Obviously, knowing everything we know now, that was never going to happen. Spytek made a genius decision a few months ago, in the 2025 NFL Draft, to take two guys at the position, both with tremendous upside. And they now both have an insane opportunity heading into their rookie season.
Raiders rookies Tonka Hemingway and J.J. Pegues can fight for starter reps
With Tonka Hemingway and J.J. Pegues being drafted in this last draft, the two rookies will have a huge chance to step up and show what they are made of. Then, there is Jonah Laulu, who Maxx Crosby just said on Wednesday is going to be a special player, but he just doesn't know it yet. But the rookies, man, they have an opportunity that rookies don't get often.
It is now even more important to watch how everything unfolds during training camp when it comes to the DT position group. Any of those three guys, including the rookies, has a chance to become a starter next to Adam Butler.
And, while that doesn't sound too great at the moment in terms of the Raiders' defensive line, just think about how good it could be in the future. Hemingway is a bit of a tweener — a guy who might have the body to play outside, too. Pegues is just an athletic freak on the inside who can do some crazy things. And, Tyree Wilson got some reps on the inside during the first few days of training camp.
This is going to be fun to watch, and hey, it wouldn't be a Raiders offseason without some drama.