LB Eric Wilson
Vikings Veteran’s Return Could Be a Disappointment for Minnesota
The Vikings' decision to bring back Eric Wilson could backfire this season.
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t make a lot of big moves this offseason, but one of the biggest came before free agency began. Veteran linebacker Eric Wilson agreed to a three-year, $22.5 million contract to return to Minnesota just as the league year was set to begin and his return brings back a key figure from last year’s defense.
While the Vikings are glad to have him back now, his deal carries some risk and it could lead him down a path of disappointment as he continues his second stint in Minnesota.
Vikings could live to regret bringing Eric Wilson back
Wilson was a pleasant surprise for the Vikings after signing as a free agent before last season. A former undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati following the 2017 draft, Wilson worked his way into a big role in Mike Zimmer’s defense, most notably racking up 122 total tackles with eight tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions and eight pass defenses.
His first year away from Minnesota didn’t go as well as he played seven games for the Philadelphia Eagles before being waived and claimed Houston Texans. He found his way back into the NFC North after signing with the Green Bay Packers during the 2022 season.
Like his time with the Vikings, Wilson had to earn his playing time and did so at linebacker and as a key contributor on special teams. After three seasons in Green Bay, Wilson returned to the Vikings last year and had the best year of his career, posting 115 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
If Wilson produces like he did one year ago, it could turn out to be an absolute bargain for the Vikings with a cap hit of $4 million according to Over The Cap. But it also has high bust potential as he enters his age-32 season.
Wilson’s career has had plenty of highs and lows but his cap hit will rise to $8.8 million next season and $9.5 million the following year. While the Vikings can get out of the deal in 2028, he’ll need to produce two seasons of similar value to validate the contract and his presence could block younger players from making an impact this season.
If the Vikings were close to competing for a Super Bowl, they could justify investing in an aging player. But they also have many unknowns on defense and took a player that could have been a promising replacement in second-round pick Jake Golday. Even if the Vikings view Golday as a long-term replacement for Andrew Van Ginkel, his role could be accelerated if Wilson fell off the same cliff he did after leaving Minnesota earlier in his career.
With Ivan Pace also in the doghouse, there’s even more of a gamble expecting Wilson to play at the same level if the Vikings want to keep competing in a loaded NFC North.
In the end, that could be enough to make Wilson’s contract an eyesore by the time they get to next offseason and a move that could backfire as the Vikings look to rebound in 2026.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
If he does shit the bed, we’ll see more reps from this guy.
Vikings rookies report to Training Camp in 9 days. Football is almost here.
— SleeperVikings @SleeperVikings Jul 17, 2026
Vikings rookies report to Training Camp in 9 days. Football is almost here.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
We’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.
Yeah. Not even a speck of the why. Just shear opinion since he struggled in other places after his first stint here.
Wilson fit here because he is intelligent. He isn't an athletic freak, he plays smart and that fits in the Flores D.
I am happy to have him in the LB room this year...Golday is most likely not ready for full time duty yet.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
greediron wrote:
Yeah. Not even a speck of the why. Just shear opinion since he struggled in other places after his first stint here.
Wilson fit here because he is intelligent. He isn't an athletic freak, he plays smart and that fits in the Flores D.
I think that's it exactly. He seems like a glove-fit in Flores's defense. I remember constantly going "who's THAT!?" last year. More often than not it was Wilson, getting to the ball before anyone else. It was like he knew the play. I don't know if that was just his experience or the fact that the Flores scheme let him to go forward more than backward. Either way, we could see much of the same this year.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
MaroonBells wrote:
I think that's it exactly. He seems like a glove-fit in Flores's defense. I remember constantly going "who's THAT!?" last year. More often than not it was Wilson, getting to the ball before anyone else. It was like he knew the play. I don't know if that was just his experience or the fact that the Flores scheme let him to go forward more than backward. Either way, we could see much of the same this year.
Yes, I don't remember Wilson being that great of a fit in Zimmer's D because he wasn't the phenom athlete that Barr was. But Wilson exploded onto the scene last year. If he is 75% of what he was last year, he will be worth it. Partially because IPJ hasn't been. Pace flashed and played above his head as a rookie. But he just doesn't seem to be the fit for Flores. Too much instinct and not a high enough football IQ? Dunno, but he was pretty bad out there, especially against Atl. Once Cash returned, he and Wilson were a force.
greediron wrote:
Yes, I don't remember Wilson being that great of a fit in Zimmer's D because he wasn't the phenom athlete that Barr was. But Wilson exploded onto the scene last year. If he is 75% of what he was last year, he will be worth it. Partially because IPJ hasn't been. Pace flashed and played above his head as a rookie. But he just doesn't seem to be the fit for Flores. Too much instinct and not a high enough football IQ? Dunno, but he was pretty bad out there, especially against Atl. Once Cash returned, he and Wilson were a force.
Good insight here and I'll add that the major reasons IPJ has kind of disappeared is he gets washed out of a LOT of plays....and he's been choosing the wrong lanes to commit to. He's short and short armed and he can't disengage from blockers well.
Wilson actually was a pretty decent athlete.
Definitely was impactful last year, like everything just clicked.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
StickierBuns wrote:
Good insight here and I'll add that the major reasons IPJ has kind of disappeared is he gets washed out of a LOT of plays....and he's been choosing the wrong lanes to commit to. He's short and short armed and he can't disengage from blockers well.
100% accurate on IPJ. I remember a play vs Atlanta I believe he had Bijan Robinson dead to rights 5-6 yards in the backfield and Robinson just pushed him aside and ran for a first down converting a 3rd and long. At that point the organization has to realize he is a spot type situational player and special teams ace. He does also choose wrong lanes and pretty bad angles of pursuit as well. Not saying he does not deserve a roster spot but he is most certainly not an every down player.
JustInTime wrote:
Wilson actually was a pretty decent athlete.
Definitely was impactful last year, like everything just clicked.
Wow, I didn't know Wilson was a Bearcat. So 3 of our 4 LBs are former Bearcats?
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
MaroonBells wrote:
Wow, I didn't know Wilson was a Bearcat. So 3 of our 4 LBs are former Bearcats?
Apparently we’ve got a type.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
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