What Might a Fair Contract Extension For Brian O'Neill Look Like?

Brian O’Neill wants a contract extension, and the Vikings want to keep him, but finding fair value is complicated by age and injury history. He enters the final year of a five-year, $92.5 million deal signed in 2021 and has been the Vikings’ starting right tackle essentially since 2018. The upcoming mandatory minicamp at the TCO Performance Center will test how much he’ll participate amid negotiations, as skipping minicamps carries fines. O’Neill turns 31 in September and is a clear locker-room leader, with two Pro Bowls and durable play (124 of 133 games). A long-term deal will hinge on value relative to age and health.

The Vikings added Caleb Tiernan in the third round this year as a potential fallback, but Tiernan remains unproven. O’Neill’s injury history — Achilles tear (2022), ankle sprain (2023), and MCL sprain (2024) — complicates pricing. The decision rests with the permanent GM, Nolan Teasley, who must balance the cap, on-field needs, and a veteran who, while elite in leadership, isn’t universally considered a top-tier tackle.