Death, taxes, and the Minnesota Vikings stealing at least one Green Bay Packers player every offseason.
No, it’s not Aaron Rodgers — not yet, at least.
The Vikings announced they have signed free-agent linebacker Eric Wilson. In fairness, the Packers stole him from the Vikings first, as Wilson began his NFL career in Minnesota. Still, this one hurts because it was so avoidable.
Green Bay rushed to sign Isaiah McDuffie before free agency even started, which signaled the end of Wilson’s time with the team.
The problem? It makes no sense.
Packers downgraded at linebacker by re-signing Isaiah McDuffie instead of Eric Wilson
It’s hard to understand Brian Gutekunst’s decision. Wilson led the Packers in special teams snaps and started 12 (twelve!) games on defense to cover for injuries.
Green Bay should’ve re-signed him for his special teams contributions alone. Per Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, Wilson’s 23 solo tackles led the Packers on special teams over the past three seasons. He also made an incredible heads-up pay to save a Keisean Nixon fumble in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
Wilson stepped up when needed on defense last term, making an impressive seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception. Edgerrin Cooper was the only Packers linebacker to earn a higher PFF grade than Wilson’s 64.3.
McDuffie offers far less to the team. He plays considerably fewer special teams snaps (Wilson had 321, McDuffie 125 last season). The Packers can’t rely on McDuffie to play on obvious passing downs. He is effectively a two-down defender, having given up 566 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 129.6 rating in his coverage last year, per PFF.
Bringing back McDuffie over Wilson doesn’t make much sense. Neither is a game-changer on defense, but Wilson offered more versatility.
Now, he rejoins a division rival to add to the Vikings’ impressive offseason.
