A longtime “Jet killer” resurfaced in the media on Friday afternoon.

Free agent Christian Wilkins, whose 47 career tackles against the New York Jets are the most among active defensive tackles, is “fully intending to play this season,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The information comes from Wilkins’ agent, David Mulugheta.

Per Mulugheta, the 30-year-old is still rehabbing his foot injury, but 26 teams have reached out and “are waiting for Wilkins to be ready.” Schefter states that Wilkins “is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants.”

Free-agent DT Christian Wilkins fully intends to play this season, but still is rehabbing his foot injury, per his agent David Mulugheta. So far 26 teams have reached out and are waiting for Wilkins to be ready, and Wilkins is expected to have a new home as soon as he wants. pic.twitter.com/RIZvd0mxA4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2026

Wilkins has not played in the NFL since suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 5 of the 2024 season, which required surgery to repair a Jones fracture. Schefter’s report indicates that Wilkins is still rehabbing the same injury.

On July 24, 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders released Wilkins with a terminated vested veteran designation. Las Vegas also moved to void $35.2 million of guaranteed salary on his contract due to how he approached the rehab process. Wilkins responded by filing a grievance with the NFLPA.

In the wake of Wilkins’ release, a report surfaced that the decision was also allegedly related to an incident in which Wilkins attempted to kiss a teammate on the head, prompting an investigation by the Raiders’ human resources department.

The former first-round pick carries plenty of baggage. However, he’s been fantastic on the football field throughout his NFL career, racking up 372 total tackles, 56 quarterback hits, 22.5 sacks, 19 pass deflections, six fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles in 86 games.

Naturally, talent-hungry teams will always do their due diligence on a player of this caliber, no matter the red flags.

Given that 26 of the league’s 32 teams have reportedly expressed interest in Wilkins, it stands to reason that the Jets are likely to be among them.

Should they aggressively pursue their former nemesis?

The upside is that Wilkins returns to peak form and helps reshape a Jets defense that allowed nearly 30 points per game last season. At his best, Wilkins is an elite run defender. Over his five-game run with the Raiders in 2024, Wilkins’ 80.2 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked third-best in the NFL among defensive tackles.

However, there may be too many concerns for a rebuilding Jets team to bother.

It is an awful sign that Wilkins is still rehabbing a foot injury that occurred 530 days ago. Add in the off-field drama, between his grievance against the Raiders and his alleged incident with a teammate, and he is about as unreliable as a player can get. This is the type of person you can easily picture becoming a dark cloud over the Jets’ season.

Sure, his elite ceiling is appealing, but the Jets are less desperate for help at defensive tackle than perhaps any other position. With the offseason additions of T’Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata, paired with the returning duo of Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips, defensive tackle may be New York’s deepest position.

Not to mention, Sweat already fills the “elite stuffer” role that Wilkins would be brought in for. The 366-pounder had a 79.3 run defense grade in 2025, fourth-best among defensive tackles. That’s right on par with Wilkins’ production two years ago, pre-severe foot injury, and Sweat still is only 24 years old.

There is little reason for the Jets to waste any more time on Wilkins beyond mere due diligence.