The Minnesota Vikings had among the best defenses within the league over the second half of the season. But that does not imply they cannot look so as to add cheaper, veteran choices to proceed enhancing and construct depth.
Linebacker wasn’t essentially a weak point for the 2025 Vikings, however that is partly due to how effectively Eric Wilson performed when known as upon. He changed Blake Cashman in Week 1 after which began the subsequent 4 video games in his place. After that, Wilson changed Ivan Pace, Jr. on the different linebacker spot when Pace’s play turned approach too inconsistent.
Advertisement
Wilson performed effectively, however he’ll flip 32 in September and will search an above-market deal after his spectacular 2025 season. While Minnesota would like to have him again, linebacker is not a place the place groups usually overspend, particularly for older gamers. That may drive the Vikings to pivot to different choices in free company.
According to Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, Minnesota may discover a potential fit in Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom.
Christian Rozeboom of the Carolina Panthers is hardly a family title on the place, however two years in the past he posted 135 whole tackles in 17 video games and 11 begins for the Los Angeles Rams. That bought him a one-year take care of the Panthers, the place he wore the inexperienced dot helmet communicator and paced the crew with 122 whole stops.
Panthers security Nick Scott told reporters that the majority informal followers simply do not realize how good a participant the 29-year-old is:
“I don’t think the common fan really knows much about anybody unless you’re a household name. So, they’re always gonna shrug their shoulders at a guy like Rozeboom, who comes in undrafted. But every time he’s had an opportunity to play on defense he’s done well and held his own.”
Rozeboom simply turned 29 final month, serving to the Vikings get youthful on the place. He did solely put up a 49.1 PFF grade in 2025, however he led the Panthers with 45 stops.
We’ll see what Minnesota does with Wilson first. If they determine his market is simply too excessive, then Rozeboom may very well be a perfect fit for Brian Flores’ system.
Advertisement
This article initially appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings named fit for veteran linebacker during 2026 offseason