Vikings, Veteran LB Eric Wilson Agree to 3-Year Deal

Contract worth $22.5 million with $12.5 million guaranteed

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a three-year, $22.5 million contract with veteran linebacker Eric Wilson, with $12.5 million guaranteed. The deal was reached just hours before the start of the NFL's free agency tampering period.

Why it matters

Wilson is a key defensive player for the Vikings, having spent five of his nine NFL seasons with the team. His return provides stability and experience to Minnesota's linebacking corps as they look to build on their 2025 season.

The details

The 31-year-old Wilson set career-highs in sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (4) while playing in all 17 games with 16 starts for the Vikings in 2025. He also reached the 100-tackle milestone that season with 115 total tackles. Over his nine-year career, Wilson has 514 tackles, 17.5 sacks, and other impactful defensive stats.

  • The contract agreement was reached just hours before the start of the NFL's legal free agent tampering period on March 9, 2026.
  • The contract cannot be officially signed until the start of the new league year on March 11, 2026 at 3 p.m. CT.

The players

Eric Wilson

A 31-year-old veteran linebacker who has spent five of his nine NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, including a standout 2025 campaign.

Minnesota Vikings

The NFL franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that has agreed to a three-year contract with linebacker Eric Wilson.

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What’s next

The contract cannot be officially signed until the start of the new league year on March 11, 2026 at 3 p.m. CT.

The takeaway

The Vikings' signing of veteran linebacker Eric Wilson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal provides stability and experience to their defensive unit as they look to build on a strong 2025 season.