Some view the addition of linebacker Jake Golday as being key to the Jonathan Greenard deal. After all, the rookie defender has a history of coming off the edge, meaning he could soak up edge rusher snaps for the Vikings as early as 2026.
What gets missed in that calculus is the presence of Eric Wilson.
The off-ball linebacker was used in an unusual manner in 2026. Wilson more than doubled his career snaps at edge rusher in 2025 alone, boosting what was 327 snaps along the defensive line up to 663 snaps along the defensive line. What changed was the effort from Brian Flores to lean into Wilson’s ability to line up as an edge rusher, a reality that appears unlikely to change in 2026.
The Vikings Boast In-House Edge Rusher Depth
Consider how many view the edge rusher hierarchy:
- EDGE1: Andrew Van Ginkel
- EDGE2: Dallas Turner
- EDGE3: Bo Richter
- EDGE4: Tyler Batty
- EDGE5: Chaz Chambliss
- EDGE6: Arden Walker
- EDGE7: Cam’Ron Stewart
Many onlookers glance at the list and feel a cold shiver work down their spine. The nervous spectator can’t help but be gripped by fear at the glance of the horrors that appear behind Door 3: unproven UDFAs all the way down. Is the depth as horrific as it appears?
For whatever it’s worth, the Vikings appear to believe that there’s very little reason to fear.
Check out how the edge rusher hierarchy looks upon considering the reality of snap allotments and not the position tag that’s attached to players. The more accurate hierarchy:
- EDGE1: Andrew Van Ginkel
- EDGE2: Dallas Turner
- EDGE3: Eric Wilson
- EDGE4: Ty Ingram-Dawkins
- EDGE5: Bo Richter
- EDGE6: Tyler Batty
- EDGE7: Chaz Chambliss
- EDGE8: Arden Walker
- EDGE9: Cam’Ron Stewart
Tossing Wilson into the mix changes the water on the purple beans (which is to say nothing of Ingram-Dawkins).
Last year, Eric Wilson played 965 snaps on defense. Looking under the hood means seeing 336 snaps as an edge rusher. His final stat tally shows 115 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, and an eye-popping 4 forced fumbles. Excellent stuff.
Per Over the Cap, Eric Wilson’s contract sits at a trio of seasons for a total compensation promise coming in at $22,500,000. Paying him so much would be an overpay were he merely an off-ball linebacker. Paying him so little would be great value if he proves to be an outside linebacker on top of being an off-ball linebacker.
Boasting Van Ginkel alongside Turner as the starters isn’t a bad spot to be. Van Ginkel is already elite; Turner is capable of getting to that spot. Wilson can then be an explosive EDGE3 to pin his ears back some of the time. Ingram-Dawkins can be a heavy edge rusher who clogs running lanes as the EDGE4.
Part of what allows the team to move players around freely is the presence of guys like Golday. Even if he never plays a snap at edge rusher in his debut season, Golday will help at edge rusher if he frees Eric Wilson to be an edge rusher. Essentially, there’s a domino effect that gives Brian Flores the flexibility he desires.
Quite possibly, the move is to add somebody else to have a more traditional EDGE3. Jadeveon Clowney, in particular, looks like a good fit. Regardless, the presence of Mr. Wilson means that there’s little reason for the team to panic. He’s essentially the EDGE3 until further notice.
