The Las Vegas Raiders are turning the page under new head coach Pete Carroll, and that process has already included some tough decisions, none bigger than the surprising release of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
Raiders’ Pete Carroll Speaks Up On Christian Wilkins Release
Wilkins, who signed a four-year, $110 million deal last offseason, was supposed to be a building block for the Raiders’ future. But after playing just five games due to a foot injury, and a reported disagreement over how that injury should be treated, the team made the bold move to release him.
Even more controversial, they voided the remaining $35.2 million in guaranteed money left on his contract.
Following Wilkins’ grievance filing through the NFL Players Association, what appeared to be an ongoing relationship has become a heated dispute.
This isn’t how Carroll, who is just starting his first season as head coach in Las Vegas, had hoped his tenure would begin. However, Carroll discussed the choice for the first time on Friday, providing insight into how the team arrived at this conclusion.
“It took a long time to make our decision,” Carroll said. “We watched our way through the whole thing. We’re keeping really clear with what we said. I think there was no clear path to his return, so we just had to move on.”
HC Carroll on Raiders releasing DT Christian Wilkins:
“It took a long time to make our decision. We watched our way through the whole thing. We’re keeping really clear with what we said. I think there was no clear path to his return, so we just had to move on.”
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) July 25, 2025
Nevertheless, Carroll’s remarks were significant. The Raiders didn’t want to find themselves in a holding pattern while they awaited word on Wilkins’ injury. Carroll knew the team needed to change as training camp got underway and a new culture began to take shape.
And that’s exactly what he’s trying to do.
Carroll Ready To Build New Culture in Las Vegas
It’s a big shift for a team and fanbase with high hopes for Wilkins. The 28-year-old defensive tackle brought energy and toughness to the locker room, and when healthy, he was a force on the field. But disagreements about rehab, particularly over whether he should undergo surgery, created a rift that couldn’t be repaired.
Carroll has consistently emphasized team-first principles, which he established throughout his successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. In Las Vegas, that idea is now the main focus. Carroll is committed to creating a team with a common goal and direction, even though it is never easy to part ways with a star.
It’s clear that the Raiders and Carroll are looking to build a new culture. With that in mind, they had to make a decision that would benefit the organization.
