Head coach Mike Vrabel has mentioned repeatedly that the New England Patriots will always be looking to improve their football team, with the club keeping an eye on players around the league who might become available.
Based on Vrabel’s comments Friday, it sounds like one recent name might fall into that category.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was released by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this week, leaving the veteran now forced to find another team.
Vrabel was asked if the Patriots may “kick the tires” on Wilkins, and it sounds like it’s definitely a possibility.
“I think we’ll have a conversation,” said Vrabel when asked if they might kick the tires on Wilkins. Again, this is pretty new, so I don’t have all the information on where Christian is. I know Christian. I’ve recruited him when he was up here in the area in Connecticut and going to high school. So I’m sure we’ll have a conversation about it.”
According to reports, Wilkins suffered a foot injury last October, and there seemed to be a disagreement between the team and Wilkins when it came to his rehab. The injury reportedly needed surgery, and Wilkins was apparently not on board with undergoing the procedure. As a result, the Raiders voided the remaining guaranteed money left on his deal and he was subsequently released. He’s since filed a grievance with the league.
The Patriots clearly weren’t 100% comfortable with their depth ahead of training camp, adding David Olajiga from the International Pathway Program just days before the first practices started.
It sounds like Vrabel may be open to adding to that competition, which will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
