Wilson, not Barr, Could be the Future of Linebacking Position for Vikings

By Dustin Baker

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Let us not bamboozle ourselves – the Vikings defense is not “back” all of a sudden. Because

the defensive group has not been atrocious in the last two games, there is a tendency to believe

that Zimmer’s bunch is “back.” But we must pump the brakes on that until more contests are played out. The Vikings are without Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, and Michael Pierce for the remainder of 2020. The absence of these three men is striking, and it is fairly easy to fall into the

“next man up” trap to placate one’s thinking. The secondary is unholy young. This probably means the ceiling for the 2020 pass defense is average-at-best. Don’t be discouraged, though.

We are watching a Vikings season where the offense is asked to be the showstoppers. It’s

reminiscent of the early 2000s in this regard.

The Vikings rank 25th in points allowed, 29th in yards allowed, 20th in rushing defense, and

30th in passing defense. These rankings resemble Minnesota’s 2016 offense more so than any

Zimmer defense before 2020. Thankfully for the organization’s sake, Zimmer is apt in defensive third-down conversion (sixth in the NFL), and red zone defense (also sixth in the NFL). These

two items – third-down efficiency and red zone prowess – are what prevent this rendition of the

Vikings defense from looking like absolute fecal matter. Make no mistake – those two defensive attributes are humongous deals. Zimmer deserves ample credit for cultivating whippersnappers to prosperity in these metrics.

Notable players have made an impact, often unforeseen ones. Rookie D.J. Wonnum notched a

game-deciding sack at Green Bay in Week 8. Jeff Gladney is among the NFL’s top rookie cornerbacks by the numbers. And, Shamar Stephen has done an admirable job filling in as an undersized nose tackle.

Add Eric Wilson to the list – a player that might be the long-term starting strongside linebacker

for the Vikings.

Wilson’s Playmaking

Eric Wilson is the only defensive player on the Minnesota Vikings to play in every game since the start of 2017. For curious folks, Kyle Rudolph is the only player to achieve this feat offensively. All others have either been beset by injury or did not play in the Week 17 game last season because the playoff seeding was set in stone.

Therefore, Wilson is durable. Minnesota’s usual strongside linebacker, Anthony Barr, was lost to a torn pectoral muscle early in the 2020 campaign. Wilson has been terrific in relief duty.

Through nine weeks, Wilson has three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, and 54

total tackles. This is precisely what a team desires from a linebacker – and more.

Anthony Barr has been a consistent defensive leader for the Vikings since Mike Zimmer was hired. He does not often stuff boxscores with statistics as his contract might indicate, but he is extolled for his superintendency of the Vikings defense. Barr kicked off his career as a dynamic playmaker – in 2014 and 2015. Those cornerstone moments have dwindled since. So, when

Wilson shows up and makes Barr-like plays from 2014 or 2015, his candidacy for the starting gig makes a splash.

He’s Cheaper (we think) than Barr

Per usual, follow the money. Barr had a dramatic contract-extension screenplay in 2019. He all but departed for New York to join the Jets but reneged at the altar. He returned to the Vikings on a handsome deal that pays him $13.5 million per season. For fans, it’s a frequent topic of discussion. The working theory by some is that the annual amount is too much for a linebacker that does not singlehandedly change games. It’s worth noting, though, that Barr has been selected to four Pro Bowls. He’s doing something right.

Wilson will be a free agent this March. He earns just over $3 million per season currently.

Somewhere – he will make more money than that in 2021. He probably will not command $13.5

million per year unless he has a greed-monger as a free agent.

Minnesota can explore retaining Wilson for the strongside spot for less money than Barr. The chances that Barr is outright released are slim as the dead cap would be too vile. But a trade may be in order if the cash-strapped Vikings seek places on the roster to trim dollars.

All about Sentimentality after that

Anthony Barr was Mike Zimmer’s very first draft pick for the Vikings in 2014. Zimmer is not outwardly a sentimental type, but Barr’s presence on his 53-man roster might tug at his heartstrings. When Barr reversed course from the Jets and rejoined the Vikings in 2019, Vikings

management was inarguably elated.

There is no rubber stamp marking a Barr departure from the 2021 Vikings. However, rewind your memory bank to the spring of 2020. Minnesota cut ties with Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes,

Mackensie Alexander, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Stephen Weatherly, Jayron Kearse, and of course, Stefon Diggs. If general manager Rick Spielman can jettison men like Griffen and

Diggs, it is elementary that he is capable of doing the same for Barr.

A while back, Zimmer proclaimed that football is a “young’s man game.” Wilson is a couple of

years younger than Barr and has an inside shot of becoming the Vikings undisputed starting

strongside linebacker.

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

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