In 2019, Minnesota utilized the nickel package quite often, which oftentimes left Eric Wilson as the odd linebacker out.
Wilson still made plays on special teams and in a limited role on defense, but Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr were the two mainstay linebackers in Minnesota’s nickel defense. Wilson had to vie for reps at linebacker with players like Ben Gedeon.
Now, Barr is out for the season with an injury. Also, Gedeon was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Minnesota still uses plenty of nickel defense, but Wilson has found himself as one of the linebackers who rarely comes off the field.
He recently talked about his bigger role in 2020 with reporters. Here is what he said:
“It’s great to be playing all three downs and all defensive snaps,” Wilson said, via the Vikings Twitter account. “I think that I’ve gotten a lot better. I’m learning a lot more. Even having played for however long I’ve played, I’m still learning a lot, and still getting better every play.”
Wilson has forced some key turnovers this season in his larger role. The Vikings haven’t had a plethora of bright spots, but one of them has been Wilson’s emergence.