Mike Vrabel has made it clear that this year, the Patriots’ defense is being rebuilt to dominate. The team added key veterans like DT Milton Williams (4 years, $104 million), LB Robert Spillane (3 years, $37.5 million), and CB Carlton Davis (3 years, $60 million) to bring toughness and leadership. Williams, alongside Christian Barmore, is setting the tone up front. Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams’ return after a serious health scare has boosted morale and stability in the locker room. Vrabel’s focus is simple: get smart, physical players who can win at the line of scrimmage and lead by example. He is not ready to stop.
Hours after Christian Wilkins was dumped by Las Vegas in what felt less like a transaction and more like a public firing, the Patriots head coach stepped to the mic with one purpose: to make a statement. Not with volume, but intent. “I think we’ll have a conversation… this is pretty new, so I don’t have all the information of where Christian is. I know Christian, I recruited him [in high school]… I’m sure we’ll have a conversation.” Vrabel said, measured but deliberate.
A $110 million defensive tackle just got kicked to the curb, and New England, with over $60 million poured into its defensive retooling this offseason, might be the one team perfectly built to capitalize.
Let’s not sugarcoat what happened in Vegas. Wilkins didn’t just get released. He got stripped. The Raiders voided $35.2 million in guarantees, questioned his handling of a foot injury, and made sure everyone knew about it on the way out. The NFLPA is already circling the wagons. And yet, Wilkins hasn’t said a word. Maybe he doesn’t need to.
His tape still speaks loudly. Just a year ago, he posted 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 17 tackles in 5 games. You can question the foot, but not the motor. If Vrabel decides to bring him in, and all signs point to that door being cracked open, it won’t be to rehab his image. It’ll be to raise hell.
Stay tuned! This story is developing!
The post Mike Vrabel’s $60M Rich Patriots Announce Christian Wilkins Decision Hours After DT’s Humiliating Raiders Exit appeared first on EssentiallySports.
