In the wild world of the NFL, where multimillion-dollar contracts and high-stakes drama collide, few stories have captured attention quite like the recent release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins by the Las Vegas Raiders. What started as whispers of an “incident” in the locker room has exploded into a full-blown controversy, with reports alleging that Wilkins playfully attempted to kiss a teammate on the top of the head—a gesture that reportedly offended the unnamed player and contributed to his abrupt departure from the team. As details emerge from insiders like Adam Schefter on The Pat McAfee Show, the saga raises questions about team dynamics, personal boundaries, and the financial fallout of it all.
Who Is Christian Wilkins and What Led to This?
Christian Wilkins, a standout defensive tackle, was a prized free-agent signing for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Coming off a solid tenure with the Miami Dolphins, where he was drafted in the first round in 2019, Wilkins inked a four-year, $110 million deal with Las Vegas, including $82.75 million guaranteed. Expectations were high for him to bolster the Raiders’ defensive line alongside stars like Maxx Crosby. However, his time in silver and black has been marred by injuries, including a recent broken foot that landed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
The release came as a shock on July 25, 2025, with the Raiders citing Wilkins’ refusal to undergo surgery for his foot injury as a key factor. This decision voided $35.2 million in guarantees, sparking a grievance from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), who argue the move violates the collective bargaining agreement. But according to multiple reports, there’s more to the story. League sources point to an underlying “fatigue” within the organization, exacerbated by a peculiar locker room altercation.
The Alleged Kiss: What Happened?
The bombshell details surfaced during Adam Schefter’s appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on July 28, 2025. Schefter, citing sources inside the Raiders’ locker room, described the incident as Wilkins “playfully” attempting to kiss a teammate on the top of the head. The teammate, however, took serious offense, viewing it as anything but playful. “That’s what everyone’s been dancing around and tap dancing around,” Schefter explained, emphasizing that this event played a role in the team’s decision to cut ties.
Reactions poured in quickly on social media and sports outlets. One X post from @PatMcAfeeShow highlighted the clip, noting, “They say that Christian Wilkins playfully went to kiss a teammate on the top of his head… They say that player took offense to it.” Other accounts echoed the sentiment, with some calling it “weird” and others speculating on the teammate’s identity—though no names have been confirmed. Reports from Pro Football Rumors and Heavy.com described it as a “very weird incident” that added to the Raiders’ frustrations, potentially triggering the release amid ongoing injury disputes.
This isn’t the first time Wilkins’ exuberant personality has made headlines. Known for his energetic celebrations and outgoing demeanor on the field, he’s been a fan favorite for his passion. But in a high-testosterone environment like an NFL locker room, where physicality and camaraderie often blur lines, such gestures can misfire spectacularly.
Reactions and Fallout
The story has ignited a firestorm online. On Reddit’s r/raiders subreddit, fans debated whether the incident was overblown or a legitimate breach, with one post noting it as the factor in Wilkins’ release. X users ranged from amused to outraged: “Christian Wilkins out here kissing his Vegas Raiders teammates but won’t let me have any smooches,” joked one account, while another bluntly stated, “Trying to kiss a teammate in the locker room is beyond weirdo behavior.”
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll addressed the situation vaguely, focusing on the injury aspect but not denying the locker room tension. Meanwhile, Wilkins is already drawing interest as a free agent, with teams reportedly eyeing his talent despite the drama. The financial hit is massive—Wilkins loses out on guaranteed money, and the Raiders face dead cap implications while navigating the NFLPA grievance.
Adam Schefter says that Christian Wilkins allegedly kissed a teammate on top of their head and the player took offense to it #NFL pic.twitter.com/nq17kh1Jfa
— All Football Watch (@AllFootyWatchX) July 28, 2025
