Grading The Signing: Minnesota Vikings retaining Eric Wilson sends a strong signal to free agents across the NFL

It’s not as simple as it appears on the surface.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) celebrates during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) celebrates during a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Never doubt the Minnesota Vikings when it comes to making a big splash in free agency and they didn’t wait for the legal tampering period to make a splash. They re-signed inside linebacker Eric Wilson to a three-year deal worth up to $22.5 million.

Minnesota Vikings give Eric Wilson an extension

It was a relatively surprising move by the Vikings, but not surprising at all. He broke out as the other linebacker opposite of Blake Cashman last season, and he only got that opportunity due to a hamstring injury suffered by the former.

Wilson was signed to a one-year, $2.6 million contract ahead of last season to be a depth player on Brian Flores’ defense. He rewarded them with a couple of things: great play and he cancelled out a compensatory pick. The Vikings cared much more about the former than the latter, and they were rewarded.

Wilson was among the best linebackers in the NFL last year, especially with Flores maximizing everything that he’s good at.

The idea here is that Wilson maximizes Flores’ style of defense, and it’s a smart move to bring him back for the continuity of the defense. Plus, the Vikings now have a linebacker signed past the 2026 season, as Cashman is set to be a free agent after the season, and Ivan Pace Jr. just had the original round tender placed upon him.

Grading Eric Wilson’s extension with Vikings

Let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s usually not a great move to pay large money for a player who breaks out in his ninth season in the NFL. He was a journeyman backup after being an undrafted free agent signed by the Vikings in 2017. Even with that usually not being a great move, there are levels to the discussion.

With Wilson getting $12.5 million guaranteed, it’s likely that this functions as a two-year deal with a dummy third year that he likely won’t see. If you look at this contract like that, it’s much more palatable.

When you look at the overall value of contracts for linebackers, Wilson’s average annual value is tied for 22nd in the NFL, which is average LB1 money, also the same as Cashman. That is not a bad dollar amount, even if it feels like it’s a lot of money.

The biggest factor here is the public perception of the contract. Players who are thinking about signing a cheap contract in Minnesota could be more likely to do so. That could come in huge this offseason with the Vikings having minimal capital to bring in talent, as they may be more willing to give the Vikings a chance because of Wilson’s success.

Overall, it’s a mixed bag to give him the contract, but it’s not a bad move, as the public relations aspect is a bigger deal.

Grade: B

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