Paul Bretl | 10/22/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Eric Wilson’s play on Sunday against the Houston Texans was impressive for two reasons. One, there were the impact plays that he made. But two, with Quay Walker out, Wilson–with minimal reps–became the Packers’ Mike linebacker.
“I can’t say enough great things about him,” said Matt LaFleur after the game. “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.”
Wilson’s playing time in recent weeks has been a bit sporadic. After playing 26 snaps in Week 4 against Minnesota, he played just three snaps versus the Rams and then 14 snaps a week ago against Arizona. When Wilson has seen playing time on defense, it’s been as the third linebacker when the Packers are in their 4-3 alignment.
However, with Walker exiting the game early on due to a concussion, Wilson didn’t only see more snaps, playing 56 of Green Bay’s 64 total snaps on defense, but he became the signal caller in the middle of the defense as well–not only delivering the play-call but being a key communicator pre-snap in identifying offensive alignments and adjustments.
“I thought he came in and did a really nice job,” added LaFleur on Monday. “But that is a big loss when you lose your middle linebacker, who calls the defense. Eric did a great job filling in in that role and it’s even more remarkable considering he didn’t even get any reps at the Mike position really all week. So step in and do that, that’s a big-time credit for Eric Wilson.”
Once the ball was snapped, Wilson spent a lot of time in the Houston backfield. In part, this was due to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley utilizing Wilson as a blitzer, particularly on third downs. But Wilson also did an excellent job fighting through blockers and knifing his way into the backfield to make plays on the ball carrier as well.
By ESPN’s metrics, Wilson finished the game with nine total tackles, six of which were solo and tied for the most on the team. Of those tackles, four came behind the line of scrimmage. As a pass rusher, Wilson logged three pressures, including two sacks. Only four linebackers league-wide in Week 7 finished with more quarterback pressures than Wilson.
“Haf does a helluva job calling a game, and we work all week of just playing together whatever the call is,” said Wilson at his locker. “I think it was a helluva effort up front putting pressure on him, and then in the back covering their guys, which they’ve got some good receivers too, so our DBs did a helluva job.”
While Wilson’s playing time hasn’t been all that consistent at times, this wasn’t the first time that he’s put together a high impact game when called upon this season. In only eight snaps against Indianapolis in Week 2, Wilson recorded an interception, a forced fumble, and a third down run-stop.
“Man, Eric been holding it down all year,” said Kenny Clark of Wilson’s performance. “Whether it’s special teams, him coming in and getting turnovers, punching the ball out, getting sacks or whatever the case may be–picks…He’s always been coming in and doing his job and being great. You need a guy like that on a team.
“Just credit to him and how he prepares. He works hard. I watch him all the time and just for how he performed today. He had two sacks, made a lot of plays in the run game, so it was huge, especially with Quay going out.”
After an offseason where the Packers drafted Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper in the early rounds, who joined a linebacker unit with Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie–who was ahead of Wilson on the depth chart in 2023–at least from a defensive perspective, Wilson could have been viewed as the odd-man out.
However, as we all know, that isn’t how things played out over the summer. Providing a steady presence at the linebacker position, even with the infusion of competition, Wilson focused on controlling the controllables and as the veteran in the linebacker room, put his arm around the rookies to provide guidance when needed.
“I think we always draft players that can help us win games,” Wilson said during training camp. “Regardless of what’s going on upstairs, I’ve got to control what I can control. Ever since I’ve been in the league, guys are going to get drafted. It’s just a matter of doing what you can do and make sure you handle your business.”
On Sunday, as Wilson was flying around the line of scrimmage, we saw the end result but what we don’t always see or hear about is what it took behind the scenes to get to that point. Wilson’s ability to be thrown into the fire as the defense’s Mike linebacker on short notice–and to not skip a beat–is a credit to his preparation and always being ready.
“He’s a pro,” said Hafley during training camp. “The way he sits in meeting rooms, takes notes, helps the younger guys, stays after, takes care of his body. He can play multiple positions because he’s a very smart player and he’s reliable and he’s a guy that you can trust that’s gonna go 100 miles an hour and know exactly what to do and he’s gonna try to finish, so I’m very pleased with him. I’m a big fan.”