Vikings Defender Listed as “Under the Radar” Free Agent
Linebacker Eric Wilson posted Pro Bowl-quality numbers in 2025, stealing Ivan Pace Jr.’s job along the way. Now, he’s a free agent and could venture elsewhere next month, with CBS Sports naming him an “under the radar” commodity on the open market.
Wilson brings pressure, forced fumbles, and range — traits Brian Flores consistently turns into weekly defensive answers.
Zachary Pereles identified 10 free agents who fit the criteria, and Wilson got the nod.
Brian Flores Will Have a Clear Use for Eric Wilson
Jalen Nailor? Jalen Redmond? Nope — Wilson is under the radar, says Pereles.
Pereles: Wilson an Under-the-Radar FA
On a list that included wide receiver Christian Kirk from the Houston Texans and linebacker Alex Singleton of the Denver Broncos, Wilson got some under-the-radar respect.
Pereles explained, “Another veteran linebacker, Eric Wilson returned to Minnesota after spending his first four seasons there and excelled, registering 115 tackles, 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. When things are in front of him, he plays quickly and arrives violently.”
“When it comes to coverage, it gets a little hairy. He’s 31 and has a major hole in his game, but he brings the thump in the run game and when rushing the passer. His 21.9% pressure rate was second in the NFL (min. 100 pass rush snaps) last season.”
It didn’t take Wilson long to become a fan favorite last season, as he was so damn productive as early as Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
Probably Re-Signing with Vikings
The Vikings owe it to themselves to re-sign Wilson for a year or two, even if he’ll turn 32 this year. Why? Well, he played so damn well last season. Wilson was not a flash in the pan. A few games didn’t make him worth the squeeze; the guy was one of the most consistent players on defense — out of nowhere. Many envisioned him as a “special teams guy” when the Vikings signed him in 2025 free agency.
Thankfully, the path back to Minnesota has already been laid by Brian Flores, who re-signed with the club after a couple of head coaching interviews, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Wilson utterly cooked with Flores; Flores utterly cooked with Wilson.
Too, the Vikings don’t have an official general manager after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s termination four weeks ago. Flores is expected to have more personnel input accordingly. Re-upping with Wilson feels like an offseason no-brainer.
The 2025 Campaign
Wilson joined the team as a depth player but ended the 2025 season as a defensive cornerstone. Signed by Minnesota to reinforce the linebacker corps behind Blake Cashman and the aforementioned Pace Jr., he was initially slated for rotational snaps and special teams duties. By December, however, his impact was clear: the defense faltered noticeably in his absence, and opponents began adjusting their strategies to contain him.
This transformation stemmed from his outstanding performance. Wilson played with relentless intensity, consistently disrupting plays and penetrating the backfield, leading all off-ball linebackers in both sacks and pressures, and ranking near the top in forced fumbles.
At 31, he had the most dominant season of his career, racking up 115 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles — a significant leap from the previous year when he was considered primarily a backup and special teams player.
The Athletic‘s Daniel Popper ranked Wilson No. 74 on his Top 150 free agents of 2026 list and explained, “Wilson is a downhill off-ball linebacker who can blitz and defend the run. He is more limited as a coverage player. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and attacks plays in front of him.”
“Wilson also got some edge work in coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme. Wilson is undersized, which limits him when he is asked to take on climbing guards and centers in the run game.”
Who Would Replace Wilson if He Leaves?
Assuming for a moment that Minnesota does not prioritize re-signing Wilson — that would be weird — it may not rely on the draft for his replacement, unless the club uses a Round 1 draft pick on Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, for example.
That would leave the Wilson replacement looking something like this from free agency:
- Devin Bush
- Leo Chenal
- Nakobe Dean
- Kaden Elliss
- Kenneth Murray
- Quay Walker
- Devin White
- Quincy Williams
The Vikings could also explore re-signing Pace Jr., hoping that his tackling woes could be rectified over the summer.
Other notable linebackers from April’s draft include C.J. Allen (Georgia), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Jacob Rogdriguez (Texas Tech), and Josiah Trotter (Missouri).
You must be logged in to post a comment.