Second Time’s the Charm for Vikings LB Eric Wilson
It was over eight years ago when Eric Wilson first landed in Minnesota in 2017 as an undrafted rookie. Against the odds, he earned a place on the roster and remained with the Vikings for four seasons, even becoming a starter in his last year in purple.
VikingsTerritory looks at Eric Wilson’s return to Minnesota for a second stint as a Viking and the success he is having so far.
After a four-year hiatus spent across spells in Philadelphia, Houston, and, most notably, Green Bay, Wilson became a Viking for the second time during the offseason, signing in free agency.
Wilson has built a good career for himself as a solid guy in the rotation who can step in as a starter if needed. A career that is in its ninth season is an impressive feat for a player who went undrafted. Having started the season behind Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace on the depth chart, Wilson’s performance when he’s been on the field – particularly during Cashman’s absence through injury – has pushed him ahead of Pace in the linebacker pecking order.
Eric Wilson Has Done It All for the Vikings in 2025
Only playing on 37% of defensive snaps in Week 1, Wilson jumped to an every-down player during Cashman’s absence. Since the Vikings’ lead linebacker returned from injury, Wilson’s snap count has remained well above 80%.
Wilson’s strong play hasn’t gone unnoticed, with a former teammate from his first time in Minnesota, Eric Kendricks, taking to social media to heap praise on his old friend. The All-Pro linebacker said Wilson has been causing havoc, the perfect description of his recent play.
Brian Flores Is Getting the Best Out of Wilson
Proving to be probably the best signing of free agency this year for the Vikings, the return of Wilson to where it all began has proved an excellent piece of business. Going from being a depth player to an essential starter as we head into Week 10 of the season.
Brian Flores has turned Wilson into a pass-rushing machine over the last few games, an area of his game that he has never really excelled in. Wilson has 3.5 sacks across the last three games, already surpassing his season best of three sacks, set in back-to-back seasons with the Vikings in 2019 and 2020.
He looks like a complete inside linebacker and an absolute steal at just $2.6 million for the year. As well as the sacks, Wilson has compiled 57 tackles, including 7 tackles for loss, 15 pressures, 3 QB hits, and 2 forced fumbles.
A good portion of those stats have come in the last three games, where Wilson has been very good. It will be interesting to see if he can keep this momentum as a pass rusher going. If he can, he will be heading into a career year at 31. The sooner a contract for next season is put across the table, the better for everyone.
This week, Wilson will be looking to take down two-time MVP Lamar Jackson as the Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens at US Bank Stadium on Sunday. In a battle between two teams on the outside of the playoffs, trying to push their way back in, as in Detroit last week, the Vikings’ defense will be pivotal to the team’s chances of pulling off the win. Wilson will need to be a big part of that.
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