Christian Wilkins is set to start on a new chapter in his NFL career, but he looks back warmly on his time with the Miami Dolphins.
On the Third And Long Podcast with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead, Wilkins described his transfer to the Las Vegas Raiders through free agency as “such a transition,” saying he gave everything he had during his time in Miami.
“It’s such a transition,” Wilkins explained on the podcast. “I wanted nothing more than to make Miami a winner and give this city, these people, and this organization what they deserved. So that was obviously a lot of my focus while I was here with the Dolphins, whether it was in terms of leadership, playing, or community service. I just tried to always do my part and put my best foot forward, putting literally my heart and soul into everything. Now things are different. It’s a little difficult now transitioning to another organization after having put so much intoIt will require a team and an organization, but I believe I am prepared. I’m looking forward to this new challenge, and I believe it’s part of my mission, as well as God’s plan for me to shine my light in another city and area.
After playing last season on his fifth-year option and providing a Pro Bowl-caliber performance for the Dolphins, Wilkins cashed in with a four-year contract worth $110 million. The $27.5 million annual average earned him the NFL’s second-highest-paid defensive lineman, trailing only Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs (now that Aaron Donald has retired).
“Honestly, it’s obviously a cool accomplishment and a cool accolade, but my mind-set is different because I was never motivated by money or whatever,” said Wilkins. “Now that’s an honor I have, but it just confirms that you’ve done enough for people to see you the way you hope you saw yourself. I still have a lot of work ahead of me. Nothing will actually change for me. My process will be the same. I claimed I was not motivated by money. Yes, I put myself and my family in an excellent position. “The next generation of Wilkinses might be fine.”
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