The Vikings already have one of the NFL’s deepest defensive lines, but could another splash move be coming? Brian Flores isn’t ruling out a reunion with Christian Wilkins, the recently released Raiders star DT. A prior connection — and a potential bargain — might just keep Minnesota in the mix.
The Minnesota Vikings entered training camp this week with a revamped — and absolutely stacked — group of defensive linemen, led by Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips and unsung standout Jalen Redmond.
But as defensive coordinator Brian Flores recently told reporters: “I don’t mind adding more.”
Flores was responding to a reporter’s question on star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who was cut loose by the new regime of the Las Vegas Raiders with the designation of a “terminated vested veteran,” per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 29-year-old has been working his way back from a season-ending Jones fracture in October of 2024. The Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money on his deal due to "failure to maintain his physical condition to play,” per an ESPN report by Ryan McFadden.
Why would Minnesota choose to get involved in this somewhat sticky situation? Wilkins was in Miami for part of Flores’ tenure as head coach of the Dolphins, and per Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attempted to sign Wilkins during 2024 free agency. He wound up landing a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders that offseason.
Flores said Monday that he would be interested in adding Wilkins to Minnesota’s deep defensive line group: “I have a lot of history with Christian,” he said, via Seifert. “I kind of let Kwesi and his staff handle that side. We’ve got a group we feel pretty good about D-line-wise, but I don’t mind adding more. But I let those guys handle that.”
While the Vikings have already spent a boatload of cash this year on free agents like Allen, Hargrave and offensive guard Will Fries, the Raiders will be paying the majority of Wilkins’ salary regardless in 2025. If Wilkins can prove he’s healthy and agrees to sign with a new team on a veteran-minimum contract, the Flores connection could very well keep Minnesota in the mix for one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior pass rushers.
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Category: Football
