Miami Dolphins’ defensive tackle Christian Wilkins wants a new contract and has been sitting out team drills during practices this week as a way to speed up the negotiations. This was confirmed by Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel during a chat with reporters on Wednesday.
Wilkins is entering the final year of his rookie deal that comes with a $10.753 million base salary. Despite not receiving an extension, the 27-year-old took part in all of the team’s offseason activities and reported for training camp. However, he decided to change his approach after the negotiations dragged out longer than expected.
“Christian is such a good player, such an important person in the locker room, who has made it clear he feels that his play is deserving of a contract,” McDaniel said. “We would agree, as the Miami Dolphins organization. Henceforth, we are in negotiations. As a result, he has not participated in team [drills]. When he next participates, that’ll be up to him.”
Miami selected Christian Wilkins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Clemson product steadily improved each year. He racked up 290 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 27 QB hits, and 17 pass deflections since turning pro.
It is unclear what kind of contract Wilkins is asking for but keeping him in Miami likely won’t come cheap for the Dolphins. Several defensive tackles received massive new deals this offseason, including Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons (four-year, $94 million) and New York Jets’ Quinnen Williams (four-year, $96 million).
