MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will almost certainly go into the season without a new contract.
But unlike others in his position — most notably disgruntled Chiefs star Chris Jones, who on Tuesday went on the reserve/did not report list — Wilkins isn’t complaining, isn’t holding out, and isn’t demanding a trade.
Rather, he signaled Tuesday that he plans to play in the Dolphins’ regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.
Christian Wilkins Reaffirms Commitment to Miami Dolphins
“At the end of the day, nobody wants to be a Miami Dolphin more than me,” Wilkins told reporters here Tuesday. “No one wants to work for this organization more than me.”
Wilkins continued, “That’s how I feel, that’s what it is, that’s where I’m at with everything still. This is my home. I was drafted here, I love this place, and I put my all to be the best player, the best leader, the best teammate, the best Miami Dolphin I can be. That’s not going to change. The organization deserves that, my teammates deserve that, the fans deserve that and everything.”
Wilkins has taken the high road throughout this entire process, even though his $10.7 million salary in 2022 is probably half of what he deserves.
And he doesn’t seem to be in line for a raise in the immediate future.
Despite the Dolphins clearing salary-cap space today, DT Christian Wilkins and Miami could not agree to terms on an extension. Wilkins’ team was not agreeable to the guarantee structure of the contract proposals, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2023
ESPN reported Tuesday that Wilkins’ representation wanted a better guaranteed money structure, adding that while other teams did reach out to the Dolphins to take the temperature on a potential trade, neither the franchise nor the player had interest.
“Like I just said, no one wants to be a part of this organization more than I do,” Wilkins said. “I love everything about being here. That’s not even a thought of mine or nothing like that to that point. I just want to be here at the end of the day.”
Wilkins added, “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 and get focused on the season.
“As far as all of that goes — whether or not something gets done — my focus is on the season. We have a game to play in two weeks. Ultimately, I’m just here to be the best teammate I can be and be there for my guys the same way I’ve been all offseason, all training camp. That’s really what it comes down to.”