Offensive tackle Brian O’Neill has been a mainstay for the Minnesota Vikings lineup practically since he arrived in 2018. But that could be ending relatively soon.
That’s what Vikings Territory’s Adam New suggested Friday when he included O’Neill on a list of six Vikings “who may be playing their final” season in Minnesota.
O’Neill was No. 1 on the list.
“I don’t expect O’Neill’s play to drop off a cliff suddenly, but he will be 32 next September, and recent activity shows the Vikings have been parting ways with expensive veterans and getting younger on the roster,” wrote New.
“With that in mind, do the Vikings offer O’Neill another big, multi-year contract? An extension to help solve the team’s salary cap problems was an option early in the offseason, but that wasn’t taken.
“O’Neill could still get one before this season starts, or they could wait and see how his ninth season with the team pans out.”
The Vikings waiting on an O’Neill extension is likely the smartest move. What that would mean, though, is the offensive tackle potentially being out in Minnesota before 2027.
This fall, O’Neill is entering the final year of his 5-year, $92.5 million contract. He will be a free agent next March.
Right Tackle Brian O’Neill Facing Crucial Year with Vikings?
The Vikings not extending O’Neill a new contract is the biggest evidence that 2026 could be the right tackle’s final season in Minnesota.
As New explained, the right tackle might still get an extension this summer. But until that happens, his future in Minnesota will remain murky.
O’Neill will have about a $23.12 million cap hit for the 2026 season. The Vikings might not want to agree to a deal that gives the team that kind of cap charge for a 30-plus-year-old right tackle.
If O’Neill doesn’t prove to be as good as ever in 2026, the Vikings could allow the veteran to test free agency.
Why the Vikings Should Want O’Neill Back Beyond 2026
New’s argument makes sense on paper. O’Neill, though, continues to be a great player, which should motivate the Vikings to keep him.
Last season, O’Neill earned an 81.6 overall grade at Pro Football Focus. He excelled at both run and pass blocking for the fourth consecutive season.
O’Neill has posted good to great grades overall (along in both run and pass blocking) every season since 2019.
So unless O’Neill has a sudden downturn in 2026, the right tackle has earned another extension with the Vikings.
An injury might be the biggest concern for O’Neill actually getting the extension. Last season, the right tackle did miss three games because of an MCL sprain. O’Neill also dealt with an Achilles issue at the end of the 2023 season.
Other than that, though, O’Neill has been quite durable. He has only missed seven contests dating back to the start of 2020.
The Vikings drafted O’Neill at No. 62 overall in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. A Wilmington, Delaware native, O’Neill played college football at Pitt.
He started his first NFL game during Week 6 of his rookie season. In 2021 and 2024, O’Neill earned Pro Bowl bids.
Vikings Longtime $92 Million Starter Put on Notice Ahead of 2026