Grade the Extension: The Vikings paid Brian O’Neill handsomely, and he’s worth every penny
When it comes to Brian O’Neill, there shouldn’t be much concern about him on the other side of 30.
The Minnesota Vikings and general manager Nolan Teasley have locked up offensive tackle Brian O’Neill on a 4-year, $96 million extension, solidifying one of the better right tackles in football for the foreseeable future. O’Neill, entering his age-31 season, will now be signed through the 2030 campaign.
The Vikings needed to find a way to address O’Neill’s contract before a potential hold-in occurred, and they got it done. What does it mean for the Vikings long-term? Let’s break it down.
The financial structure makes sense for Minnesota
The deal pays him an average of $24 million per year, slotting him just $1 million below Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who is widely considered the best right tackle in football. The fact of the matter is, O’Neill deserves every dollar.
Last season, he played over 700 snaps and allowed only 21 pressures and two sacks, posting a 97.3% efficiency rate as a pass protector, per Pro Football Focus. He’s been one of the most consistent right tackles in the NFL for years, and the Vikings are paying him accordingly.
The previous deal for O’Neill was a 5-year, $92.5 million contract worth $18.5 million per season. One of the smarter moves the Vikings made was not restructuring that deal outside of $1.87 million in 2022, because it now gives them flexibility to push money down the line with this new extension.
Minnesota likely saved around $15 million in salary cap space this season by bringing O’Neill down to the minimum base salary and then distributing the signing bonus accordingly. The first year of the deal probably makes his cash earnings roughly equivalent to what he would have made without an extension. From there, the cap hits grow in later years when the salary cap will be significantly higher, allowing the Vikings to push money forward if needed.
That’s a classic Rob Brzezinski extension structure. The salary cap whiz has a track record of front-loading flexibility and back-loading the larger cap hits when the ceiling rises.
O’Neill’s athleticism separates him
O’Neill was a former tight end at the University of Pittsburgh, and that athleticism still shows up on tape. He’s a fluid pass protector who can mirror speed rushers and a capable run blocker who gets to the second level. You wish his anchor was a little stronger at times, but the athleticism compensates more often than not. When you can move like O’Neill moves, a slightly weaker anchor becomes less of a liability because you can adjust and redirect.
He’s not a flawless player. Every good offensive tackle has moments where they miss or whiff. But the consistency is what makes O’Neill special, and with Christian Darrisaw locked up on the left side, the Vikings now have both tackles signed for the next four seasons. Darrisaw is finally playing on his extension after his rookie contract ran its course, and now O’Neill gets his.
The age concern is real but manageable
Extending a tackle through his age-35 season does raise some concern. The longer a player goes in his career, the more chances there are for breakdown and lost athleticism. That said, tackles tend to age well. Trent Williams is approaching 40 and still playing at a high level. Johnson is 36. The position rewards technique and experience in ways that mitigate some of the physical decline.
The later years of the deal carry risk, but this is also why O’Neill likely wanted the extra year tacked on, because players at his age don’t know if another deal is coming. If performance dips, that final year still provides financial security. From the player’s perspective, it makes complete sense.
What this means for the rest of the roster
With O’Neill locked up, the Vikings can shift their attention to other extensions. Wide receiver Jordan Addison, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, and center Blake Brandel all have futures to address. Brandel probably has the most to prove out of that group, but these conversations need to happen sooner rather than later.
This deal also sends a message regardless of who plays quarterback. Whether it’s JJ McCarthy on a team-friendly rookie deal or Kyler Murray on a more expensive contract, the Vikings showed they are committed to protecting the quarterback. That’s the right approach.
Finding quality offensive linemen is brutal. The Vikings have taken their share of swings on Day 3 picks over the years, and those don’t always hit. O’Neill is a known commodity, a proven starter, and one of the best at his position. Replacing him through the draft would have been a gamble the Vikings didn’t need to take.
Grade: A-
