The Minnesota Vikings have some hard decisions to make this offseason. Most attention will be looking at positions like corner and quarterback. However, there is one man at a different position that they shouldn’t let go.
At least, they shouldn’t according to Pro Football Focus.
Vikings Urged to Retain LB Eric Wilson
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Eric Wilson #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a tackle during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Pro Football Focus recently listed a free agent for all 32 teams that they could not afford to lose. For these Vikings, it was LB Eric Wilson.
Wilson made a return to the Vikings in 2025, where he spent 2017 through 2020 after being signed by the team as an undrafted free agent. Wilson made stops in Philadelphia, Houston, New Orleans, and Green Bay along the way.
Now, Minnesota is being urged to not let him walk out of the doors again.
Consider Pro Football Focus’ reasoning for Minnesota to retain the productive defender.
“The Vikings significantly regressed from their unbelievable 2024 season, with subpar quarterback play being a major prong. Still, Minnesota’s defense ended the year ranked sixth in EPA per play, with Wilson offering contributions all over the field.
Wilson finished with a 62.1 PFF overall grade, mostly due to his issues in coverage. Yet, he was good against the run with a 72.9 PFF run-defense grade and a team-leading 52 stops. On top of that, Wilson added 37 pressures, the most among linebackers.
Admittedly, the Vikings don’t have a laundry list of notable free-agents-to-be. Then again, Wilson has proven his productivity in multiple departments, even if the team seeks an upgrade at the linebacker position.”
Eric Wilson was extremely noticeable when the Vikings were on defense. While his coverage skills are lacking, his run-stopping and pass-rushing ability were enough to unseat Ivan Pace Jr. of his starting job.
The Vikings will have to make decisions about both Pace Jr. and Wilson regarding their status with the team, as Pace is an RFA and Wilson is a UFA.
Minnesota Not Ruling Out a Major QB Move This Offseason
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown talk with J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
As mentioned, the Vikings also have a decision to make at QB this offseason, and they are apparently not ruling anything out, per Kevin Seifert.
“I could not find anyone to tell me that they definitely don’t want to pursue a Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson or whoever else might shake loose in terms of a guy that would absolutely come in here as the unquestioned starter.”
This time of year, this truly could be a nothing-burger. Joe Burrow would be pretty difficult for the Bengals to move. Lamar Jackson may be excited for what he thinks are greener pastures in the post-Harbaugh era in Baltimore.
It does make for an interesting conversation, however. The O’Connell-Adofo-Mensah regime are going into year 5 calling the shots for the Vikings. They have come away so far with a whopping zero playoff victories in two appearances.
This regime may be facing the heat for ownership, as there’s likely a low number of GM/head-coach combinations that are allowed to go half of a decade without a playoff win with no consequences.
Vikings Urged to Re-Sign Breakout Defender