You don’t usually notice a right tackle until someone runs right past him. For Brian O’Neill, that’s basically the highest compliment you can give. In a league where "edge rusher" is the sexiest position on the field, O'Neill has spent nearly a decade in Minnesota being the quiet, incredibly fast, and occasionally under-appreciated anchor of the Minnesota Vikings offensive line.
Honestly, it’s rare to find a guy who transitions from a college tight end to a Pro Bowl tackle without looking like he's struggling for air. O'Neill did it. He’s 6'7", he’s over 300 pounds, and he still moves like he's chasing a fast break in a Delaware high school gym.
But as we hit 2026, the conversation around O'Neill is changing. It's not just about his footwork anymore; it's about his contract, his health, and what he means to a locker room that's seen a lot of faces come and go.
The Brian O’Neill Vikings Legacy: More Than Just a Contract
When you look at the Brian O’Neill Vikings tenure, you’re looking at one of the most successful draft picks of the Rick Spielman era. Taken in the second round of the 2018 draft, O'Neill wasn't supposed to start right away. He was "too light." He was a "project."
He started 11 games that first year. He hasn't looked back since.
The 2025 Season in Review
Last season was a bit of a rollercoaster for #75. If you look at the PFF numbers, O'Neill finished the 2025 regular season with an overall grade of 81.6. That ranked him 14th among all tackles in the NFL.
- Pass Block Grade: 76.4 (22nd in the league)
- Run Block Grade: 84.5 (9th in the league)
- Sacks Allowed: Only 2
- Total Penalties: 6
What's wild is that he did this while battling some nagging stuff. He missed a few games—one for a knee issue in October and another for a heel injury late in December. Even with the missed time, he logged 734 snaps. That’s the thing about O'Neill; even at 75% health, he’s usually the best option the Vikings have.
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Why 2026 is a "Money" Year
We have to talk about the cap. It’s the boring part of football until it’s the only part that matters. Right now, O'Neill is entering the final stretches of that massive five-year, $92.5 million extension he signed back in 2021.
For 2026, his cap hit is roughly $23.2 million.
That is a massive number. Here is the kicker: he has no more guaranteed money left on the deal. If the Vikings were to move on (which seems crazy, but this is the NFL), they would save $19.5 million against the cap while only eating about $3.7 million in dead money.
Most experts, including those over at Sports Illustrated and Over The Cap, think an extension or a restructure is coming this spring. You don't just let a 2-time Pro Bowler and 5-time team captain walk when you have a young quarterback like J.J. McCarthy to protect.
The "Athlete" at Tackle
One thing people forget is how fast this guy actually is. At the 2018 Combine, O'Neill ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash. For context, that’s faster than some tight ends and linebackers. It’s why the Vikings love him in the screen game.
You’ll see a screen pass to the left, and somehow, there’s #75—the right tackle—twenty yards downfield clearing a path. It’s weird to watch. It shouldn't happen.
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"He’s more of an athlete than people give him credit for," teammate Jonathan Greenard said recently. "He brings a lot of juice."
That "juice" is why he was the Vikings' nominee for the 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. He’s the guy picking up opponents after a play. He’s the guy staying late to work with the rookies. In a sport that's basically a series of controlled car crashes, O'Neill plays with a level of class that’s becoming a bit of a lost art.
Dealing with the "Injury Prone" Label
There’s a segment of the fanbase that's getting nervous. It happens every time a player hits 30. O'Neill turned 30 in September 2025, and the injury report has been a little more crowded lately.
- 2022: Ended the season on IR with a partially torn Achilles.
- 2023: Missed three games with a significant ankle sprain.
- 2024: Managed to play all 17 games (an ironman feat).
- 2025: Missed time with knee and heel issues.
Is he breaking down? Probably not. It's more about the mileage. He’s played over 120 games and started nearly all of them. The Vikings have tried to build depth—guys like Walter Rouse and Justin Skule are in the mix—but the drop-off when O'Neill isn't on the field is noticeable. The run game, specifically, loses its edge.
What Most People Get Wrong About O'Neill
The biggest misconception is that he’s purely a "finesse" blocker because of his athletic background.
Wrong.
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In 2025, his run-blocking grade (84.5) was actually higher than his pass-blocking grade. He’s become a technician. He uses those long arms to redirect defenders rather than just trying to out-muscle them. He’s smart. He knows when a blitz is coming before the quarterback does.
The Locker Room Factor
You can't quantify leadership, but the Vikings try. He’s been a captain five times. When the team underwent the "competitive rebuild" under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell, O'Neill was one of the few veterans kept as a "pillar."
He’s the bridge between the old-school Zimmer era and the new O'Connell era. He’s seen the 13-win season of 2022 and the struggles of 2023. That perspective is invaluable when you're starting a sophomore QB.
Actionable Insights for Vikings Fans
If you're following the Brian O’Neill Vikings story this offseason, here’s what you should actually be watching for:
- The March Contract Deadline: Watch for news around the start of the league year. If there isn't a restructure or extension by then, it might signal that the front office is looking at a younger (and cheaper) future.
- The Draft Strategy: If the Vikings take a tackle in the first two rounds of the 2026 Draft, the writing is on the wall. If they focus on interior guards or defense, they’re doubling down on O’Neill.
- The "Heel" Recovery: Keep an eye on OTAs. If O'Neill is limited or wearing a non-contact jersey well into May, those "age 30" concerns might have some merit.
Brian O’Neill is arguably the most consistent player the Vikings have had over the last seven years. He isn't flashy, he doesn't do "Griddy" dances in the end zone, and he rarely makes the highlight reel. But if you want to know why the Vikings' offense stays on schedule, look at the guy standing on the far right of the line.
He’s still there. And for the sake of the Vikings' 2026 season, he needs to stay there.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official Vikings injury report as training camp approaches to see if O'Neill is participating in full-team drills, which will be the first real indicator of his longevity for the 2026 season. You should also monitor the NFL transaction wire during the second week of March; this is typically when veteran restructures are finalized to create cap space for free agency.