Christian Wilkins wants to remain with Dolphins past 2023
One of the NFL’s most consistent and hilarious defensive tackles is set to play this season under a $10.7 million fifth-year option. The Dolphins and Christian Wilkins are reportedly no closer to agreeing on a long-term contract than they were in March. While Wilkins wants to stay in Miami, the cap hell faced by the Dolphins next offseason may complicate that.
Wilkins has played four NFL seasons with the Dolphins since being selected No. 13 overall in 2019. The Clemson product has great run defense and has logged eight sacks across the last two seasons. Wilkins is also hopeful that he can continue to play in Miami beyond the 2023 season.
“Miami is home,” Christian Wilkins told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. “That’s where I got drafted. That’s where I love. That’s where I want to be.”
Despite both sides wanting to make a deal, Miami may simply not be able to afford Wilkins. The value of interior defensive linemen has risen drastically this offseason. Players such as Javon Hargrave, Daron Payne, and Dalvin Tomlinson all earned massive extensions through free agency in 2023.
Christian Wilkins should feel deserving of a contract within the range of his piers. Wilkins has started all seventeen games in the last two seasons. He also had a career-high snap share of 84% last season.
The Dolphins currently have $13.6 million available in 2023 cap space, but are currently projected to be over $32 million below in cap room, one of the worst in the league, per Over The Cap. Any kind of long term contract offer Miami could make Wilkins right now would likely be an insult.
Losing a player with his ability, consistency and charisma would definitely affect a defense expected to make a big leap this season.
New Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be the leader of a defensive unit facing steep expectations. On paper, the Dolphins arguably have the NFL’s best defensive back tandem in Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey.
Their offense made significant strides under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel in 2022, finishing with a 9-8 record and the AFC’s last playoff spot.
Vic Fangio most recently was the head coach of the Broncos for three seasons. Although unsuccessful as a head coach, Fangio is still one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL. His first order of business should be to build around the few core pieces already in place, like Christian Wilkins. Looming interest by the Dolphins in free agent running back Dalvin Cook could suck up the last of the team’s available funds going forward.
Regardless, the Dolphins will be a problem this season if their defense can match the improvement of their offense from a season ago, whether Vic Fangio is the man for the job remains to be seen.
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