Report: The Dolphins aren’t expected to franchise tag Christian Wilkins

<div><figure> <img alt="New York Jets v Miami Dolphins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/58ApvOCZKlBxibotee5J_Qt2cEY=/0x0:2924x1949/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73179276/1862911253.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Christian Wilkins would make roughly $20 million if he played on the franchise tag in 2024. </p> <p id="mGsZ3x">The 2024 NFL league year begins in less than two weeks and it’s becoming more likely that defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will be a free agent. <a href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/02/22/miami-dolphins-to-tag-christian-wilkins-if-need-be-report-says-free-agency/72695880007/">Weeks after noting that Miami won’t let Wilkins walk out the door</a>, ESPN is now reporting otherwise. </p> <p id="nfsT28">“While Miami’s stance is that all options are on the table for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, several league sources say he probably won’t be franchise-tagged,” senior NFL national reporter Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday. “That would put a big-time tackle who had 63 tackles and nine sacks in 2023 on the market.”</p> <div id="tjMY2N"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Development out of Indy: Several league sources expect <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolphins</a>’ Christian Wilkins to avoid franchise tag. Miami source says keeping options open, but teams bracing for star DT to hit free agency. <br><br>That and much, much more from <a href="https://twitter.com/DanGrazianoESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanGrazianoESPN</a> and me<a href="https://t.co/DUUbVAlj5b">https://t.co/DUUbVAlj5b</a> <a href="https://t.co/JNbQQifJoa">pic.twitter.com/JNbQQifJoa</a></p>— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1764286966164603010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2024</a> </blockquote> </div> <p id="D3K27I">Fowler added that the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> are two teams that could make a push for Wilkins’ services. The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>, meanwhile, <a href="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/nfl-schedule/2024-important-nfl-dates/">need to start by clearing $30 million off the salary cap before the league year begins on March 13</a>. </p> <p id="xTDmbn">Wilkins has been the foundation of Miami’s defense since he arrived in South Florida, and Chris Grier mentioned at the combine that all options <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/2024/3/1/24088043/chris-grier-believes-the-nfl-miami-dolphins-have-the-resources-to-keep-christian-wilkins-in-miami">were on the table when it came to keeping him with the Dolphins</a>. </p> <p id="PNynG4">“We’ve had conversations, and we were close on a deal last offseason,” <a href="https://media.miamidolphins.com/transcripts/">Grier said.</a> “It didn’t come together. For us, we know who Christian is, the type of person and player and what he brings to the organization.</p> <p id="DSlSXV">“At the end of the day, we tried, and the agent acknowledged it was a very fair offer and we felt good. So we’ll see where that takes us this offseason.”</p> <p id="sph4kY"></p> <p id="bbTbNA"></p></div>