O’Neill
A certain contract situation is starting to come into the spotlight as the Vikings report to training camp.
Training camp is almost here, and the Vikings have a lot to worry about.
Fans will be flocking to TCO Performance Center in droves to see how this year’s team stacks up, but there are still a few things that need to be sorted out before they get ready for their Sept. 13 opener against the rival Packers.
One storyline that has slipped under the radar is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill’s future with the team. Entering the final year of his contract, O’Neill has had discussions with the Vikings on an extension that would keep him in Minnesota well into his 30s. Much to fans' dismay, though, there hasn’t been much progress, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on Tuesday.
One storyline that has slipped under the radar is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill’s future with the team. Entering the final year of his contract, O’Neill has had discussions with the Vikings on an extension that would keep him in Minnesota well into his 30s. Much to fans' dismay, though, there hasn’t been much progress, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis on Tuesday.
In a list of thoughts on the Vikings’ offensive players heading into camp, Lewis noted that O’Neill’s “early camp participation [or lack thereof] will warrant attention.” While Lewis did not specifically state it, those comments suggest that O’Neill could be on the verge of a “hold in” and bring a secondary concern into the spotlight as camp begins.
Nolan Teasley’s background suggests this could be Brian O’Neill’s last year as a Viking
O’Neill’s contract is one of the first choices that new general manager Nolan Teasley must make, and it’s a complicated one entering next season. O’Neill has been a foundational piece of the Vikings since joining the team in 2018, becoming an indispensable player at right tackle and one of the team’s biggest leaders off the field.
The performance also speaks for itself. According to Pro Football Focus, O’Neill has posted a 4.5% pressure rate with 24 sacks allowed on 4,517 pass-blocking snaps and is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with an overall grade of 81.6. Spotrac also projects that O’Neill could command a market value of $21.1 million annually, and it would make sense to lock him in over the next few years.
In previous regimes, this wouldn’t be a question, as the Vikings reward their homegrown talent with big contracts. But Teasley’s background is also important after coming over from the Seahawks.
The Seahawks have lost plenty of talent over the years, but GM John Schneider has built an infrastructure through the draft that allows players to leave when the time is right. That philosophy began when Russell Wilson requested a trade in 2022, leading Seattle to acquire three first-round picks that added impact talent, including offensive tackle Charles Cross, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, edge defender Boye Mafe and outside linebacker Derick Hall.
When DK Metcalf requested a trade before the start of the 2025 season, the Seahawks cashed in again, landing a second- and a seventh-round pick in the draft that were used to trade up for safety Nick Emmanwori.
Brian O’Neill’s contract negotiations are Nolan Teasley’s 1st test as Vikings GM
All of those players formed a championship core that helped Sam Darnold win a Super Bowl last season. But while the Seahawks found talent in the draft, the Vikings are in a much different situation.
The Vikings’ depth at the tackle position was a problem as Christian Darrisaw struggled to stay on the field as he recovered from a multi-ligament knee injury and O’Neill played through an ankle injury. While Justin Skule had plenty of issues as a backup, he has since moved on to the Buccaneers.
Ryan Van Demark was added in free agency and took Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan in the third round of April’s draft to become O’Neill’s potential successor. Still, it would be a risk to take a key leader out of the Vikings 'locker room.
In many ways, this will be a true test for Teasley. If he re-signs O’Neill, he keeps a key player in the mix for 2026 and beyond. If he doesn’t, he could flip O’Neill at the trade deadline for assets but also risk sabotaging the Vikings’ hopes for this season at an important position.
It’s a dilemma that has been swept under the rug this offseason, but will come to the forefront as the Vikings report for camp.
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I love Brian O'Neill, but I'm just not sure extending him is in the best long-term interest of the Vikings. I think if I were in charge, I'd really want to get an idea of what I have in Tiernan before doing anything.
It could be a situation like Hunter a couple years ago, where we give him a nice big one-year raise that basically says we value you and want to reward you, but you're not in our long term plans.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
MaroonBells wrote:
I love Brian O'Neill, but I'm just not sure extending him is in the best long-term interest of the Vikings. I think if I were in charge, I'd really want to get an idea of what I have in Tiernan before doing anything.
It could be a situation like Hunter a couple years ago, where we give him a nice big one-year raise that basically says we value you and want to reward you, but you're not in our long term plans.
Yah, the unknown quality of whats behind O'Neil gives me pause to let him walk...I don't know how NT is going to manage this one yet?
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
He’s gone 14, 17, and 14 starts over the last three years. Plays at a pretty high level. I’d have no qualms about extending him another 3 years. Just turning 31. I think he’s got tread on the tires.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
So... he'll develop a mysterious sore left testicle that causes him to sit on the sidelines in camp until the blessed miracle of mo' money brings about a spontaneous healing?
The other problem with extending O'Neill is that Darrisaw and Jefferson's contracts are both about to explode. CD and Jets' combined cap hit this year is $37 million. In '27 it's `$76 million. Meanwhile, Caleb Tiernan's '27 cap hit is $1.5 million. The question isn't whether O'Neill will still be better in '27 than Tiernan (probably yes), but whether he's $20 million a year better when you're trying to pay Darrisaw, Jefferson, Murphy, Fries, and possibly Addison, AVG and a QB as well.
For once I'd like to see the Vikings let a guy go a year or two early instead of hanging on 2 years too late and getting stuck with the bill.
MaroonBells wrote:
I love Brian O'Neill, but I'm just not sure extending him is in the best long-term interest of the Vikings. I think if I were in charge, I'd really want to get an idea of what I have in Tiernan before doing anything.
IMO, I think this might be the plan. O'Neill is going to be 31 years old in September....not ancient, but old enough for the team to think long and hard about what that extension should look like. Tiernan was drafted to back up or replace Brian, just don't know when that will be. A 3 year extension that has meat on the bone for only 2 years is the way to go....maybe a home town discount to boot. Interesting to see what Tinsley does here. I think O'Neill can definitely play well for 2 more years for sure.
But to your point: O'Neill MIGHT be exactly the type of player in the right situation that the team makes a tough decision on if say Tiernan really shows out in camp and preseason. I think that's probably extreme and won't happen, but worth watching.
The last guy we let go of early was Hunter. Not to say BO is that caliber of player, but I think it would be a mistake. I think Tiernan kicks inside and eventually replaces O’Neil a couple years down the road.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
The last guy we let go of early was Hunter. Not to say BO is that caliber of player, but I think it would be a mistake. I think Tiernan kicks inside and eventually replaces O’Neil a couple years down the road.
Does he have the wingspan to kick outside??
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
RS_Express wrote:
The other problem with extending O'Neill is that Darrisaw and Jefferson's contracts are both about to explode. CD and Jets' combined cap hit this year is $37 million. In '27 it's `$76 million. Meanwhile, Caleb Tiernan's '27 cap hit is $1.5 million. The question isn't whether O'Neill will still be better in '27 than Tiernan (probably yes), but whether he's $20 million a year better when you're trying to pay Darrisaw, Jefferson, Murphy, Fries, and possibly Addison, AVG and a QB as well.
For once I'd like to see the Vikings let a guy go a year or two early instead of hanging on 2 years too late and getting stuck with the bill.
Yes, that's it entirely. Outside of cap issues, of course you extend him. But add to the Jefferson and Darrisaw accelerations the fact that we don't know what we're going to be spending on a QB in 2027 and it just makes this decision one where I think the Vikings have to be a little careful. If Tiernan is a revelation in camp, I think you put O'Neill on the Hunter plan.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
purplefaithful wrote:
Does he have the wingspan to kick outside??
I think that's been an overrated aspect IMO.....the dude is legit 6'8"....he shouldn't be inside at OG. But yes, his arms are shorter for his height and probably not ideal as a prototype OT. But he's also got a much higher center of gravity for OG, also not prototypical. JMO, but he's straight up an OT. Will Fries, a very tall OG, is over an inch shorter than Tiernan. Fries's draft profile had him rated poorly as an 'average backup or special teamer', but Tiernan was a solid round 2 prospect. Fries gets to show out this year or he's bye bye....but I think he does well this season.
purplefaithful wrote:
Does he have the wingspan to kick outside??
Some T-Rexes do OK in the NFL.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
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