Analyst calls Vikings’ Brian O’Neill extension ‘interesting’
NFL analyst believes the Brian O'Neill extension was "interesting".
The Minnesota Vikings recently extended tackle Brian O'Neill, a move that caught the attention of ESPN analyst Seth Walder. In his analysis, Walder deemed O'Neill's new contract as one of the 10 most interesting extensions of the offseason. O'Neill, a consistent performer, has been a mainstay on Minnesota's offensive line since 2018, earning two Pro Bowl nods during his tenure.
His pass block win rate has been exceptional, ranking in the 95th percentile or better for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024. However, his run block win rate has shown improvement recently, reaching the 87th percentile in 2025. At the age of 30, with just one year remaining on his contract, extending O'Neill's deal was a wise decision for the Vikings.
This is due to two primary factors: (A) offensive tackles can continue to excel well into their 30s, and (B) contract costs for top-tier tackles are relatively affordable. Losing O'Neill would significantly impact the offense, while finding a suitable replacement would be challenging. Moreover, the deal structure is advantageous for the Vikings, offering a high salary with limited downside after 2027.
The Vikings' offensive line, featuring O'Neill alongside Christian Darrisaw and Donovan Jackson, will be crucial as the team prepares for a new quarterback in 2026.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
