Elijah Wilkinson, an offensive tackle who spent the 2022-2024 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, signed a two-year contract worth $6.25 million with the Arizona Cardinals on March 14, 2025.[1][2]

The 29-year-old Wilkinson went undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, appearing in 61 games with 26 starts at tackle and guard.[3]

After starting 16 of 17 games for the Chicago Bears in 2021, Wilkinson joined Atlanta, where he played in 49 regular-season games across three years, making five starts while primarily serving as a reserve and special teams player.[3]

Following the signing announcement, Wilkinson responded to critical comments from Falcons fans on Instagram. Screenshots showed him replying to a fan who wrote "Thank god your [sic] gone" with "Good luck with that clown show over there" followed by a laughing emoji.[4][5]

To another fan questioning his performance, Wilkinson wrote: "Lol, y’all in hell [right now]. Have fun being a—next year."[4][5]

Private messages shared publicly included Wilkinson referencing drops by former Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts, adding "Hahaha yeah alright and all the passes Mooney dropped and Pitts f--- off my line. Have fun rooting to lose the NFC south," followed by "28-3" -- a nod to Atlanta's collapsed 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017 -- and calling the team a "laughing stock."[4][5]

The Falcons finished the 2024 season 8-9, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight year.[3]

No official response from the Falcons or further comment from Wilkinson was immediately available.

Sources

1. Arizona Cardinals official website. "Cardinals sign OL Elijah Wilkinson." March 14, 2025. https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-ol-elijah-wilkinson
2. Spotrac. "Elijah Wilkinson Contract Details." Accessed March 15, 2025. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/elijah-wilkinson-22094/
3. Pro-Football-Reference. "Elijah Wilkinson Career Stats." Accessed March 15, 2025. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkEl00.htm
4. Fox News Digital. "Elijah Wilkinson unloads on Falcons fans, ex-teammates after signing with Cardinals." March 15, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/elijah-wilkinson-cardinals-falcons-fans-mooney-pitts
5. OutKick. "Elijah Wilkinson Trolls Falcons Fans After Cardinals Signing." March 14, 2025. https://www.outkick.com/sports/elijah-wilkinson-atlanta-falcons-social-media-arizona-cardinals