Analysis: How eight snaps at Lambeau Field re-ignited Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson’s career

Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson loves Lambeau Field. Especially what happened upon its hallowed ground on Sept. 15, 2024, 11 days before his 30th birthday.

“I just remember ballin’ that day,” said Wilson, a Packer at the time. “Just being where I’m supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to do. Being physical, getting to the ball. It was a good testament to how I play, how I can impact the game.”

He played eight snaps that day.

And yet his Pro Football Focus grade in that 16-10 win over the Colts was 99.4.

“I know a perfect grade is 99.9,” Wilson said. “Zay [Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers] got one this year.”

Indeed, Rodgers did, scoring two defensive touchdowns to post PFF’s record grade in the Bengals beatdown. No. 2 in PFF’s history is 99.1 by former Gopher Matt Spaeth as a Bears tight end in 2012.

“99.4 isn’t second place?” Wilson asked.

“Should have played two more,” Wilson laughed.

Eight was enough.

Wilson had an interception, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.

“The interception, [Anthony] Richardson tried to throw a seam ball behind me, but I wheeled back and picked it,” Wilson said. “The tackle for loss was a good one. They tried to run a speed option at me, but I tethered it off and then ran it down. And the forced fumble was against [Jonathan] Taylor. Not bad.”

It’s not a long stretch to say that game re-ignited Wilson’s career. A career that started as an undrafted rookie with the Vikings in 2017 and wound its way to the Eagles and Texans in 2021, the Packers from 2022-24 and back to the Vikings this year.

In the 47 games he played before facing the Colts in 2024, Wilson started four times. In the 25 games since then, he has 20 starts – 19 of them after turning 30 – including the past nine games since supplanting Ivan Pace Jr. in the Vikings’ starting lineup.

“I know the Packers got a new [defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley] last year, so maybe he trusted me more, which is why they started me last year,” Wilson said. “Maybe that Colts game woke people up.”

Wilson heads back to Lambeau Field on Sunday in his second Vikings stint, playing for a 4-6 team that needs a boost against a Packers team that’s 6-3-1 since making no effort to re-sign Wilson after last season.

“None,” he said. “It is what it is. I’m happy here.”

Apparently, this Vikings-Packers rivalry is still a big deal. Big enough that Wilson spent time before the interview for this story talking to German radio about it.

Wilson loves Packer fans.

“They’re rowdy, but nice, too,” Wilson said.

Just like Philly, eh?

Wilson laughed.

“Exact opposite,” he said. “As a player, fans can only do so much to a player. But as a fan of the other team, I know it gets pretty rough in Philly.

Wilson plays special teams in addition to being a starting linebacker.

“I can still move,” he said.

He showed that again last week when players on the left side of the Vikings’ kickoff coverage unit bumbled their assignments and let Bears returner Devin Duvernay get loose.

“I was on the far right side of the line,” Wilson said. “I ran him down [after a 56-yard gain]. I was moving. I can still make plays.”

Apparently, he can. Even on a day at Lambeau Field when a mere eight snaps re-ignited his career.