Few people expected veteran Green Bay Packers linebacker Eric Wilson to play a large role on defense this season. The former University of Cincinnati star was always a special teams standout, but he has surprised everybody by playing significant snaps on defense this season. Through seven games, Eric Wilson continues to be a difference maker for Jeff Hafley and the Green Bay defense.

Packers Linebacker Eric Wilson Continues to Be a Difference Maker: His Career Thus Far

This is Wilson’s eighth NFL season since he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. Wilson was a full-time starter for just one year in his career. In 2020, he started 15 of 16 games. For most of his time in the league, Wilson has provided defensive depth and exceled on special teams.

He joined the Packers in 2022 and was a core special teams player. Wilson played just four percent of the team’s defensive snaps that season. In 2023, that number went up to 11 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Wilson played well when he had to come into a game, but he was not considered anything more than a depth player on defense.

The Changes This Season

The Packers defense changed this season. Hafley replaced Joe Barry as defensive coordinator, and the team changed from a three-man front to a four-man front. This meant that edge rushers like Rashan Gary and Preston Smith would now be defensive linemen instead of lining up at outside linebacker like they did in Barry’s defense.

The Packers also released De’Vondre Campbell who had started at inside linebacker and drafted linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper on day two of the draft.

Wilson surprised everybody by making plays in training camp and during the preseason. He was getting attention with his smart positional play and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to get to the ball carrier.

The two rookies dealt with injuries and adjusting to the NFL while Wilson kept playing well. When the Packers opened the 2024 campaign against the Eagles in Brazil, Wilson was one of the team’s starting linebackers.

Packers Linebacker Eric Wilson Continues to Be a Difference Maker: His Impact

Whenever he’s been in the lineup, Wilson has made an impact. In the season opener, the veteran made two tackles for loss. He intercepted a pass in Week 2 against the Colts and forced a fumble that helped the Packers earn a win. Then, last week against the Texans, Wilson recorded two quarterback sacks, made six tackles and four tackles for loss.

For Wilson, this success was the culmination of his hard work and experience. “My entire career I’ve played just about every position at linebacker,” Wilson explained. “I think it comes with the reps and the experience, honestly. Being able to play any linebacker position that we need and fill in where’s necessary.”

Head coach Matt LaFleur has also been impressed by the way Wilson has played and carried himself. “He made some big-time plays,” LaFleur said. “I can’t say enough great things about him. He is the consummate pro in terms of always knowing what to do and then being able to when called upon go out there and deliver. I’m really proud of him. We’re lucky to have a guy like that on our team.”

His teammates have also noticed the impact he’s had on the defense. “Eric been holding it down all year,” Pro Bowl defensive lineman, Kenny Clark said. “Whether it’s special teams, him coming in and getting turnovers, punching the ball out, getting sacks or whatever the case…he’s always been coming in and doing his job and being great. You need a guy like that on a team.”

The Future

Wilson knows he will have to continue to play well to earn playing time doing forward. Cooper and Hopper continue to learn and grow into their roles on the defense.

But as long as Wilson keeps making plays, the coaching staff will have to find ways to get him on the field, both on special teams and on defense. It’s a new role that Wilson has earned this season.

 

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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