Why the Minnesota Vikings should re-sign Eric Wilson
By Dean Jones
Wilson’s contract situation
Eric Wilson is set for a significant pay raise by the time his free agency experience is concluded in the coming weeks.
He made just $645,000 last season and has made a total of $1.66 million in base salary during his three-year career. It is clear Wilson has outplayed his previous deal and this is going to bring a relatively big payday.
There is little doubt that Wilson is deserving of a pay raise given his increasing level of production with every passing year. He is a dependable presence on a Vikings defense that is going to go through some significant changes this offseason.
He is still at an age where his game has the scope for further improvement. This will be another big bargaining tool for the player when contract negotiations formally begin on March 18.
Situational pass-rushers that are capable of filling in as a starter are normally hot commodities in the NFL and do not last very long on the free-agent market. Wilson is one of the better players available in the particular category and it will be up to a potential suitor to make him an offer Minnesota is unable to match.
Wilson has enough film to back up the multi-million-dollar deal he is expected to command. Whether there are going to be a number of teams interested to bulk up his asking price remains to be seen.