The Minnesota Vikings entered last offseason determined to improve upon a 14-3 record in 2024 that ultimately ended in a 27-9 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That led to an aggressive offseason spending spree in which the Vikings spent $262,532,500 on free agents, the second-highest total in the league.

Of course, Minnesota not only failed to improve on its 2024 season but also missed the postseason entirely in 2025. Much of the blame was pointed at the quarterback position, but the money allocated to outside free agents didn't pay off.

For this series, we'll review the free agent acquisitions the Vikings made in 2025. Not every player was a bust, but few lived up to their offseason billing. Combined with instability at quarterback, the season was likely doomed from the start.

While most of Minnesota's signings didn't live up to their contracts, Eric Wilson outperformed expectations. The linebacker, who signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2017, returned to the Vikings in 2025 after spending the past four seasons with the Eagles, Texans, and Packers.

Injuries thrust Wilson into the starting lineup in 2025, but his performance kept him on the field.

Contract: One year/ $2.6 million

Games: 17 (16 starts)

PFF Grade: 62.1, ranked 11th among all Vikings defenders (min. 200 snaps)

Key Stats: 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 52 stops (most on the team)

Wilson played 25 defensive snaps in Week 1 at Chicago after Blake Cashman suffered a hamstring injury. He started the next four games before eventually taking over Ivan Pace Jr.’s role at the other linebacker spot.

But it was in Week 9 at Detroit when Wilson's impact on the defense was felt. Per Next Gen Stats, Wilson blitzed a season-high 17 times. He generated six pressures and two sacks, spearheading an aggressive game plan that saw the Vikings out-physical the Lions for the first time in three seasons.

Wilson's blitz usage had seen an uptick in the previous three games, but the Lions game showed Wilson could bring a veteran physical presence that the defense had been missing.

The Vikings blitzed Wilson at least nine times over the next eight games. He was only sent on six blitzes in Week 18 when the Packers deployed a conservative game plan with many starters sitting out.

Wilson will be a free agent in March, but the Vikings could find value in bringing him back. Brian Flores isn't scared to play older players, and the defense functioned at a higher level once Wilson’s role became defined.

He wasn't limited to rushing the passer, either. No linebacker allowed fewer yards per target (4.3 yards, min. 30 targets) than Wilson. Versatility is a key component of Flores’ system, and Wilson showcased his at a high level.

The hang-up in bringing Wilson back will be his contract. He's PFF's 268th-ranked free agent, and they don't have a projected contract for him.

Wilson may want to capitalize on his impactful 2025 season, but he will turn 32 in December. That could cause the Vikings to hesitate to commit to a multi-year contract with him, potentially leading him to test the market.

Hopefully, Minnesota can retain Wilson and find another young linebacker in the draft for the future. If not, replacing Wilson would be a surprising turn one year after his under-the-radar return.

Grade: A-