Dolphins' Wilkins ends hold-in despite not signing new deal
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is ready to move on and focus on Week 1 despite failing to sign a long-term extension before the regular season.
"At this point, I'm just focused on being the best teammate I can be and being there for my guys and getting ready to play a game again, getting focused on the season," Wilkins said Tuesday, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. "As far as all that goes, whether or not something gets done, my focus is on the season. We've got a game to play in two weeks."
Wilkins sat out team drills over the last two weeks while seeking a contract extension. The 2019 first-round pick is entering the last year of his rookie deal and is set to earn $10.73 million in 2023, according to Spotrac.
Wilkins' representatives and the Dolphins couldn't agree on the guarantee structure of the contract proposals, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"At the end of the day, nobody wants to be a Miami Dolphin more than me," said Wilkins, who added that he never considered requesting a trade from Miami. "Nobody wants to work for this organization more than me."
Multiple teams reached out to the Dolphins to inquire about Wilkins, but the AFC East club wasn't interested in moving him, according to Schefter.
Miami recently rewarded another defensive lineman with a lucrative extension, signing Zach Sieler to a three-year, $38.65-million deal. Wilkins praised Sieler on Tuesday.
"Honestly, I couldn't be more proud, more happy, more excited for someone than Zach Sieler," Wilkins said, per David Furones of the Sun Sentinel.
Wilkins, a team captain last year, enjoyed his best NFL seasons in the last two campaigns. The 27-year-old set a career high with 98 tackles (16 for loss) in 2022 while amassing 3.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles. The Clemson product has racked up 290 tackles and 11.5 sacks since Miami drafted him 13th overall in 2019.
It's been a lucrative year for interior defensive linemen. Five of the seven biggest deals among defensive tackles were signed in 2023, including Quinnen Williams (New York Jets), Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans), Daron Payne (Washington Commanders), and Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), who all inked lucrative extensions with the teams that drafted them. Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams tops the position with a $31.66-million average annual salary.
The Dolphins kick off their 2023 season on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.
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