What if the Cleveland Browns’ next big defensive move isn’t a splashy draft pick or a blockbuster trade—but a gamble on a player the rest of the league quietly walked away from? What if the missing piece to an already dangerous pass rush is a former $110 million star who hasn’t been the same since a fractured foot, a contract dispute, and a strange exit from Las Vegas? The Browns are coming off a historic season up front. But history in the NFL doesn’t buy you anything in the future. So the real question becomes: should Andrew Berry roll the dice on Christian Wilkins, or is this one risk that could backfire in a hurry?
The Cleveland Browns’ defensive line was a force in 2025. In fact, it was record-setting.
The team posted 53 sacks—an astonishing franchise high. Quarterbacks across the league felt the pressure, and offensive coordinators were forced to game-plan around Cleveland’s relentless front. Myles Garrett led the charge in dominant fashion, etching his name into NFL history yet again with a jaw-dropping 53 sacks. While Garrett’s individual brilliance stood at the forefront, the Browns’ success was not a one-man show.
Maliek Collins delivered a career-high 6.5 sacks from the interior. Alex Wright, Cameron Thomas, and Isaiah McGuire combined for 10 more off the edge. Beyond sacks, the defensive line generated 74 tackles for loss, showcasing not just pass-rushing prowess but an ability to disrupt run games and collapse pockets consistently.
It was the kind of season that builds identity.
But the NFL is a league that punishes complacency.
Even after a historic year, general manager Andrew Berry must evaluate whether this defensive line can sustain its dominance—or if reinforcements are necessary to prevent regression. The only defensive lineman scheduled to hit free agency is veteran Shelby Harris, who has been a steady contributor over three seasons. However, Harris will be 35 by the time the next season begins. While leadership and experience are valuable, aging defensive linemen rarely reverse time.
That brings us to Christian Wilkins.
On paper, Wilkins is the type of player who could elevate an already elite front. A former first-round pick out of Clemson in 2019, Wilkins built a reputation with the Miami Dolphins as a disruptive interior force. Over five seasons in Miami, he accumulated 355 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks across 81 games. His motor, energy, and versatility made him one of the more respected defensive tackles in the league.
In 2024, Wilkins cashed in with a four-year, $110 million contract from the Las Vegas Raiders—a deal that signaled he had arrived among the NFL’s upper-tier defensive tackles.
Then everything changed.
Five weeks into his first season with Las Vegas, Wilkins fractured his foot. The injury ended his 2024 campaign prematurely. Reports later surfaced that the Raiders wanted Wilkins to undergo surgery. Wilkins, however, reportedly disagreed with the medical plan. The situation became tense. By July 2025, before training camp could even begin, the Raiders released him.
Since then, Wilkins has not played a meaningful snap.
The story took on an odd tone with whispers of locker room tension and off-field controversy, including a bizarre incident that added to the narrative surrounding his exit. Whether fair or exaggerated, the fact remains: Wilkins became available in a way few $110 million players ever do.
Now 30 years old and two years removed from his peak form, Wilkins represents both intrigue and uncertainty.
For Andrew Berry, this is familiar territory.
Berry has a reputation for thorough evaluation and a willingness to revisit players he once targeted. When Berry identifies a talent he believes fits Cleveland’s system, he rarely shuts the door permanently. If Wilkins’ medicals check out, it would be surprising if Berry did not at least explore the possibility.
The Browns don’t necessarily need Wilkins. That’s what makes this decision fascinating.
This is not a desperate team searching for answers along the defensive line. This is a team coming off dominance. But championship-caliber franchises operate with a different mindset. They don’t wait for decline. They anticipate it. They prepare for it.
Adding Wilkins would not be about survival. It would be about sustaining pressure and building depth.
Consider the rotation. Garrett remains the centerpiece, but interior pressure is often what transforms a great defense into an unstoppable one. Collins had a career year, but can he replicate it? Can Cleveland assume every rotational piece will stay healthy for another full campaign?
Wilkins, when healthy, excels at collapsing the pocket from the inside. His quick first step and ability to shed blocks create opportunities not only for himself but for edge rushers like Garrett. Imagine quarterbacks trying to step up in the pocket to avoid Garrett—only to meet Wilkins in their face.
That synergy is enticing.
However, the concerns are real.
Foot injuries for defensive linemen are not trivial. They carry significant weight—literally. A 300-pound athlete placing explosive force on a previously fractured foot must demonstrate complete recovery. Any lingering issue could limit burst, power, or endurance.
There’s also the question of locker room fit. The Browns have cultivated a strong defensive culture. Disruption—whether exaggerated by media narratives or not—must be evaluated carefully. The Browns’ front office values chemistry. Wilkins would need to buy into the system, the leadership, and the structure.
Financially, the situation could work in Cleveland’s favor. Wilkins is unlikely to command anything close to his previous contract. A short-term, incentive-laden deal would mitigate risk. If he regains form, Cleveland gets a bargain. If not, the commitment remains manageable.
From Wilkins’ perspective, Cleveland could be an ideal landing spot. Playing alongside Myles Garrett would elevate his visibility and reduce pressure. He would not be asked to carry the defensive line—only to contribute. A strong season in Cleveland could reset his market value and extend his career trajectory.
For Berry, this is about calculated aggression.
The Browns’ window remains open. When a franchise is in contention mode, bold but strategic decisions often separate good from great. Wilkins is not a safe move. But he might be a savvy one.
There’s also the long-term angle. Younger defensive linemen benefit from experienced interior disruptors. If Cleveland views Wilkins as a bridge piece—someone who can contribute while mentoring the next wave—it adds another layer of value.
Yet, the risk remains undeniable.
Two years removed from peak production. An injury that sidelined him almost entirely. A messy departure from his previous team. These are not minor red flags. They are legitimate considerations.
The Browns must evaluate medical reports thoroughly. They must assess motivation. Does Wilkins view this as redemption? Or as a final paycheck opportunity? Competitive hunger can’t be faked in the trenches.
If Berry is convinced Wilkins’ foot has healed fully and the hunger remains intact, the reward could outweigh the risk.
Picture this defensive line rotation in critical late-season games:
Myles Garrett commanding double teams.
Christian Wilkins collapsing the pocket.
Maliek Collins penetrating gaps.
Young rotational players staying fresh deep into December.
Depth wins in January.
The Browns learned that lesson well.
In the end, this decision reflects philosophy more than necessity. Cleveland does not need a dramatic overhaul. But sustained success demands forward-thinking management.
Berry has shown he isn’t afraid to take strategic swings. This wouldn’t be reckless—it would be opportunistic.
Christian Wilkins once commanded $110 million because he was disruptive, durable, and dynamic. Injuries happen. Disagreements happen. But talent doesn’t disappear overnight.
The Browns must determine whether that talent still burns at the same level.
Should Andrew Berry take the shot?
If the medicals are clean, the contract is reasonable, and the locker room vetting checks out, the answer might be yes.
Because sometimes, the biggest risks are the ones other teams were too cautious to take.
And sometimes, those risks become the moves that keep a championship-caliber defense one step ahead of the rest of the league.
The Browns don’t need a savior on the defensive line.
But if Christian Wilkins still has that 2023 form inside him, Cleveland might not just be adding depth.
They might be adding the final layer to a defensive front that refuses to settle for “good enough.”
