Has Rick Spielman’s free agency start boosted his contract hopes?

The Eric Wilson tender

Another notable move by the Minnesota Vikings was to put a second-round tender on Eric Wilson.

The outside linebacker made great strides during the second half of the season and will now look to make another leap in 2020. Wilson will make $3.25 million on the tender, which is a significant rise to the $1.66 million in base salary he has earned during his first three years in Minnesota.

This represents a real leap of faith from the Vikings regarding Wilson’s prospects. There is much to like about the undrafted prospect and he should have more to offer going forward.

If Wilson adds more to his game and continues to produce, there is the potential for a long-term deal. The Vikings could also use the franchise tag on the player next year in a similar situation to Anthony Harris, who was tendered in 2019 before received the non-exclusive tag last week.

With so many other changes expected on the Vikings’ defensive, keeping a player with the upside of Wilson was essential. This can allow the organization to focus on other areas of need in the NFL Draft.

Wilson has gradually improved with every passing year and has risen up the depth chart quickly. He should get more opportunities in 2020 that could elevate his game to new heights.

There is the chance someone comes in for him in the coming weeks, but this appears unlikely given the compensation needed. If Wilson continues to trend upwards then the offers will pile in during the next free agency period. This is a predicament the Vikings are all too familiar with.