NFL Rumors: Christian Wilkins Won't Get $22.1M Dolphins Franchise Tag, Will Be FA

The Miami Dolphins will not use the franchise tag to retain star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, making him a free agent.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported the same:

On Sunday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that "While Miami's stance is that all options are on the table for defensive tackle Wilkins, several league sources say he probably won't be franchise-tagged."

He added that several teams would be "in the mix" for Wilkins in free agency, speculating that the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns would make sense potential suitors.

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network noted that two executives during the NFL Scouting Combine predicted that Wilkins could sign a massive new deal in free agency worth between $22-25 million per season.

That would put him in line with defensive tackles who recently signed extensions like the New York Jets' Quinnen Williams (four years, $96 million), Tennessee Titans' Jeffery Simmons (four years, $94 million) and New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence (four years, $87.5 million).

For the Dolphins, keeping Wilkins—either at the $22.1 million tag number or at the figures he's expected to garner on the open market—would be difficult given their cap sheet. Per Spotrac, Miami is currently projected to be $28.4 million over the cap heading into the 2024 campaign.

Teams generally find creative ways to generate space via restructured deals and the like, but the Dolphins are already facing a squeeze before quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on his second deal. Massaging the cap will only get trickier once he's playing on what is expected to be a very lucrative extension.

But losing Wilkins would be a major blow for a team hoping to win right now. The 28-year-old registered 65 tackles (10 for loss), nine sacks, 23 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 2023. His sacks and quarterback hits were easily career-highs.

Surprisingly, he's never been a Pro Bowler in his five-year career. But there's little doubt that he's a difference-maker from the interior of the line, and his market is expected to reflect as much this offseason.