The Vikings’ EDGE3 opening is creating some consternation.
Consider, for instance, what former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond had to say: “Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss are all former undrafted players who may develop into decent players but at this point, they’re not going to strike fear in QBs and OCs around the league. Golday seems to be the player of potential promise as the rotational player at the position on the current roster but we’re talking about a rookie who is unproven in the NFL.”
And then Dustin Baker dug into the upcoming battle that’s going to take place at training camp: “All eyes are on the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback battle in Eagan between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy because that’s just how the sport works. It’s all about the quarterback. Yet, the ‘other’ competition should turn heads, too — at OLB3.”
Curiously absent from these discussions is the ongoing presence of linebacker Eric Wilson.
The Vikings’ EDGE3 is Under Contract: LB Eric Wilson
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings had a deficit at corner. Much consternation circulated online. The team’s coaching staff, however, didn’t appear to share the widespread concern.
Most of the 2025 season involved leaning on Byron Murphy Jr. alongside Isaiah Rodgers. Seeing those two work through a season with great health was fortuitous. CB3 Jeff Okudah missed most of the season and CB4 Dwight McGlothern had the odd assignment of being on the roster but being avoided at all costs. Veteran corner Fabian Moreau got worked into the mix when there was a need for more corner talent.
The real key, though, was the ample depth at safety. Boasting all of Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward allowed the Vikings to fill the needed jobs within the secondary. Brian Flores, never bound by what a certain player is “supposed” to do based on position, borrowed from safety to fill a deficit at corner.
As things stand, the best guess is that something similar will occur within the front seven. There’s a shortage at edge rusher? No problem, just snag somebody from the linebackers.
The Vikings’ edge rusher crew is being led by Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, both of whom have the capacity to be excellent. Ty Ingram-Dawkins is getting work at edge rusher. Presumably, he’ll be leaned on as a jumbo option to clog running lanes more than chase down the passer (but that’s just speculation based on having a larger build).
What has too often been missing within the calculus has been the depth at linebacker.
All of Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Jake Golday, and Ivan Pace are looking to come back in 2026. Even more promising for the Vikings is that all will demand playing time. A formation that sees Cashman alongside Golday as the off-ball linebackers while Wilson functions along the edge won’t be surprising.
Consider the edge rusher snaps for the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 season (courtesy of PFF):
- Dallas Turner: 662 Snaps
- Andrew Van Ginkel: 538 Snaps
- Jonathan Greenard: 528 Snaps
- Eric Wilson: 336 Snaps
Already, Eric Wilson has been leaned on to play a reasonably large role at edge. What appears to be occurring is that he’s getting bumped up from securing the Vikings’ EDGE4 job to being the Vikings’ EDGE3 for the upcoming season.
After all, nothing substantial has been done to address the position, meaning there needs to be at least some level of belief in the talent already on the roster. Even better, there’s too much talent at off-ball linebacker. Shuffling guys around is a way of keeping talent that deserves to be on the field actually on the field.
The NFL is a place that truly does allow actions to speak louder than words. Doing nothing — not signing a well-known EDGE3 — tells us something. Conversely, doing something — such as re-signing Eric Wilson for a reasonably meaty three-year contract — tells us something, as well. The Minnesota Vikings must have confidence in his capacity to continue doing what he did in 2025.
Eric Wilson, 31, stands at 6’1″ and 230 pounds. He has mostly been an off-ball linebacker but Flores leaned into the defender’s brains, aggression, and explosiveness to add edge rusher to his list of responsibilities. He tossed up a career-high 6.5 sacks last season.
Vikings training camp begins on July 26th.
