With Anthony Barr out for most of 2020, the Vikings needed Eric Wilson to step up.
In some respects, Wilson did that. He finished with eight passes defended, three picks and three sacks. Though his basic stats looked good, Wilson had a PFF grade of 53.5. He struggled in run defense and with tackling in general.
All that said, Wilson had a decent 2020 in an important role and signed with the Eagles in free agency. He agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Philadelphia.
Wilson played in just seven games with the Eagles before the team waived him. In Week 8, Philadelphia ruled Wilson a healthy scratch. The Texans claimed the linebacker off waivers Thursday, the team announced.
Wilson’s mishaps with the Vikings amplified in his short stint with the Eagles. He had a run defense grade of 26.7 and an overall grade of 35.2 on PFF.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said this about Wilson, via Dave Zangaro of nbcphiladelphia.com:
“It’s not that Eric didn’t play well on special teams or didn’t do his job when he was in at practice on special teams. But Shaun (Bradley) really flourished on special teams and Alex (Singleton) is our special teams captain.”
Wilson, once thought of as an enticing 2021 free agent, has had a fall from grace since then. Maybe he can reclaim some of his old turnover-causing magic with Houston.