Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction: Packers LB Eric Wilson
By Paul Bretl
This upcoming offseason, the Green Bay Packers have 14 unrestricted free agents to make decisions on either before or during NFL free agency.
Over the next few weeks, my “Re-sign or Let go & Prediction” series is back, where I will be taking a look at each of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents, and examining why Green Bay may try to re-sign them, why they would let them walk, and then I’ll make a prediction.
Next up is linebacker Eric Wilson. If you’ve missed any of the other articles in this series, you can find them all below.
Why the Packers would re-sign Eric Wilson
Wilson was plucked off the New Orleans Saints practice squad in early October but became a mainstay and core member of the Green Bay Packers special teams unit right away. Despite not being on the team for the first few weeks of the season, Wilson finished second on the team in total tackles, wasn’t responsible for any missed tackles, and had a blocked punt. In fact, of players with at least 85 special teams snaps in 2022, Wilson had the highest special teams grade in football from PFF.
With the help of Wilson — and several other factors, of course — the Packers’ special teams unit went from consistently ranking as one of the worst in football over the last half-decade, including 32nd in 2021, to 22nd in just one season.
Why the Packers wouldn’t re-sign Eric Wilson
I’m not going to lie; there really aren’t many reasons that the Packers wouldn’t want Wilson back in 2023. But if I have to come up with something, maybe Green Bay doesn’t want to allocate more resources to the linebacker position than they already have to.
From a defensive standpoint, De’Vondre Campbell, who signed a hefty contract, and Quay Walker, a first-round pick, are going to take pretty much all of the snaps. Isaiah McDuffie is still on his rookie deal and led the special teams unit in tackles, while Krys Barnes is a restricted free agent and can likely be brought back on a league-minimum contract or close to it.
Very easily, four linebackers are already accounted for, and depending on how things shake out over the summer, that could be how many the Packers choose to keep on the 53-man roster. Green Bay won’t have much spending power again in free agency, and with a number of roster holes to fill, although Wilson shouldn’t break the bank, perhaps the Packers choose to allocate those dollars towards either the receiver, tight end, or safety positions, for example.
Prediction: The Packers re-sign Eric Wilson
In addition to hiring Rich Bisaccia, a key factor in the Packers’ special teams turnaround was Brian Gutekunst making several special teams-specific signings, including Wilson. Gutey then said after the season that the team planned to take a similar approach in 2023, and one would think that would include bringing back an important player like Wilson.
Next. Packers trade Rodgers; get Love help in mock draft. dark
In 2022, Wilson made $1.035 million. Perhaps he gets a bit of a pay raise because of his play, but even for the salary cap-strapped Packers, fitting his contract on the books shouldn’t be an issue.