Packers Q&A with Eric Wilson

By: 
Bill Huber
Correspondent

The Green Bay Packers signed linebacker Eric Wilson off the New Orleans Saints practice squad on Oct. 4.

In 2020 with the Minnesota Vikings, Wilson started 15 games and set career highs with 122 tackles, eight tackles for losses, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

Q: You went to London with the Saints, came back to the states and now you’re going back to London. How challenging is that?

A: I’m super-big into nutrition and sleep, hydration, all those little things that make a big difference. So, when you land, your performance is pristine because you take care of your body. I think that’s huge and to sleep as much as we can on the plane there. So, when we get there at 7 a.m., we’re ready to go.

Q: How do you deal with the change in time zones?

A: Just trying to match your sleeping schedule with that in London. Since we get there at 7 a.m., sleep as much as you can so when you wake up, you’re up all day. Then, by the time you’re ready to go to sleep, you stay on that schedule and getting a full night’s rest. You wake up from that full night’s rest, you’re recovered and ready to go.

Q: When the Packers signed you, did you know you were going right back to London?

A: Yeah, I did. I thought that was interesting. I started laughing. It’s no big deal. I don’t mind it. It’s fun to travel and go overseas and play in different places. Even when we travel in the States, it’s fun. I’m trying to make the most of it. We played at the same place and we’re staying at exactly the same hotel, too.

Q: I understand the challenge of going to London. How about the challenge of coming back? Because there’s no bye week to get reacclimated — it’s right back to work to play the Jets.

A: You try to get as much sleep as possible. When we’re coming back, I think we get in like early, like 2 a.m. or something, so you want to stay up as much as you can then. After a game, you might be a little tired. A nap here or there won’t hurt but after you continue to be consistent with that, it’s a pretty easy transition.

Q: Doing a little research about you after the Packers signed you, I read that you got a “Wilson” tattoo on the chest but in the font of a Wilson football.

A: So, me and a group of friends actually did it in high school. All of our last names are Wilson. One was my running back, one was the quarterback and I played receiver. So, all of our last names were Wilson so we got a Wilson (tattoo). One has it on their arm. Another one has it on their back. I have this one.

Q: Was that one of your first tattoos?

A: Yeah, I think it was my first tattoo ever. Trying to help win games and help the team win a championship, that’s all of our goals. I think we all have our individual roles and whatever that might be – do it at the best of our abilities. That’s my goal coming into every day, getting better and help this team win.

Q: You started a bunch of games with the Vikings but what can you bring to the special teams?

A: I’ve met with Rich (Bisaccia) and I met with Byron (Storer). I’ve been in some meetings and been out there. I think the basis is guys play hard, they play fast. Taking care of that one-third of the game is so important because it can win games. Winning special teams can win games, winning the field position battle wins games. Because that’s the first offensive play, that’s the first defensive play that happens in the game. That transitional play is very important to help the defense or help the offense. It’s really important.

Q: You had that big year in 2020. Can you do enough on special teams here to jumpstart you into the second part of your career?

A: Yeah, definitely. I think regardless of the game or situation, special teams can help win the game. Field position, making big plays, making turnovers on special teams can create huge swings in our favor.

AT A GLANCE

Number: 45

Age: 28

Season: Sixth

College: Cincinnati