Latest free agent update presents Packers perfect solution without sacrificing future resources, but situation is up in the air
Christian Wilkins expects to play in 2026, even though his foot injury is still a question mark.
The Green Bay Packers signed Javon Hargrave in free agency, but the interior of the defensive line is still a position of need on the roster. Well, the latest update could be all general manager Brian Gutekunst wanted to hear to add one more piece there.
Former Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is still rehabbing from a foot injury, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, but he fully intends to play in 2026. Schefter mentioned that 26 teams have reached out to agent David Mulugheta about the player.
Ideal situation
The fact that Mulugheta is Wilkins’ agent can be an advantage to the Packers in itself. He is also the agent of the top two stars on the Packers’ roster, quarterback Jordan Love and edge defender Micah Parsons. The parties worked together to build those two contracts, in addition to the trade that landed Parsons in Green Bay in the first place.
But the situation is also perfect because the Packers have been proactive this offseason to keep their draft capital. The free agent approach was careful to ensure the team will receive four compensatory draft picks next year, and because Wilkins was released by the Raiders, he doesn’t count toward the formula.
When the Raiders cut Wilkins in 2025, they started a dispute trying to void his $35.25 million in remaining guarantees — the parties disagreed on if he should undergo surgery on his injured foot or not. That injury ultimately made Wilkins miss the entire 2025 season. He ended up playing only five games for the Raiders after signing a massive four-year, $110 million contract in free agency in 2024.
While he hasn’t played much over the past two years and ended his relationship with the Raiders on a bad note, Christian Wilkins is a high-ceiling player. Back in 2023, his final season for the Miami Dolphins, the defensive tackle generated 58 pressures and nine sacks. He’s a well-rounded interior defensive lineman, something the Packers have lacked after trading Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the Micah Parsons package.
Right now, the top of the Packers’ DT room has Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, and Karl Brooks, all players who are primarily interior rushers but lack the ability to stop the run — even though Hargrave was already an upgrade over Wyatt and Brooks.
Over the past two years, the Packers lost TJ Slaton in free agency and traded Clark and Colby Wooden. So while it may be costly to have so many somewhat expensive players at the position, the necessity is real.
Wilkins would most likely come at a discount, too, and not losing the comp pick is the cherry on top of what the team needs.
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