Pretty Quietly, Kevin O’Connell Weighs-In on Top Vikings Free Agent Talent
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell tends to be ruthlessly positive. Unsurprisingly, he had good things to say about Eric Wilson.
A veteran off-ball linebacker who was often tasked with playing edge rusher, Mr. Wilson experienced a breakout season in 2025. DC Brian Flores learned early that Wilson can punch above his weight class, meaning the undersized defender (6’1″ and 231 pounds) could pin his ears back to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The downside confronting the Vikings is that the secret is out that Wilson can essentially do it all up front.
O’Connell thinks that the NFL has noticed what Wilson can do.
In a conversation with Paul Allen and Pete Bercich, O’Connell explains that the defender was “spectacular” and “versatile.” Some more thoughts: “He’s incredibly smart, he’s a guy that loves playing the game of football […] We’re excited about the possibility of bringing Eric Wilson back, but obviously we’re not the only ones that watched his tape from last year. So, it’ll be competitive.”
Kevin O’Connell, Eric Wilson, & The Cap Crunch
Right now, the top topics in the Twin Cities are the unsolved QB conundrum alongside the cap crunch.
Tying those two realities together — a need for quarterback talent while not having ample budgetary freedom — means a future where Malik Willis probably signs elsewhere. More likely is a competent option who accepts less than what could be demanded were a bidding war to arise. Theories abound for who will get added, creating a ton of intrigue ahead of free agency next week.
But while Minnesota’s quarterback opening dominates the headlines, there’s a great need for linebacker help.
LB1 Blake Cashman is still around. Athletic, smart, and a strong communicator, Cashman wears the green dot and offers the versatility that’s constantly coveted in Minnesota. He needs a running mate, though.
Last season, Eric Wilson ended up being that player. At the end of the year, Wilson had stacked up 115 tackles alongside 6.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and 17 tackles for loss. So, too, did Wilson offer 4 forced fumbles, a very impressive number.
All of that production for the low cost of $2.6 million. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made mistakes prior to getting fired, but signing Wilson wasn’t among them.
At 31, Wilson doesn’t have too many more chances to secure a huge payday. He has been in the NFL since 2017, getting brought into the league by Minnesota as an undrafted talent. What has followed has been a long, winding journey where he played in Minnesota, Houston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Green Bay before ending up in Minnesota again.
At best, Wilson has cleared $3 million in a season a single time and that was back in 2020.
Coach O’Connell appears to be laying the groundwork for a goodbye (not unlike the conversation surrounding Jalen Nailor, who looks like a goner).
Reading between the lines means understanding that the Vikings want to retain Eric Wilson…but only at a certain price.
Giving him a multi-year deal for a pile of cash appears risky, especially for a team with limited money and a desire to get younger. At best, Wilson replicates his strong 2025, but even that isn’t a foregone conclusion. Much better, from a team-building perspective, would be finding the next Wilson, a player who far exceeds what the contract numbers suggest.
As for a specific name if a new player gets signed, circle Leo Chenal. He’s likely to earn medium money, much more than what Wilson got last season. Even still, the Kansas City defender could exceed his contract since he’s young, rugged, and versatile.
At the end of his answer about Wilson, Coach O’Connell clarified that the priority in free agency is doing “what’s best for our organization.” A touch obvious, perhaps, but worth remembering. The goal is not to sign Wilson but, rather, to do what’s best for the team. Signing Wilson at a price that makes sense is therefore the priority.
NFL free agency gets rolling a week from today.
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