Vikings lock up star right tackle Brian O’Neill on four-year, $96 million deal

The Vikings may have uncertainty at quarterback going into 2026, but they certainly don’t have uncertainty at one particular position. 

Offensive tackle. 

ESPN reported Tuesday the Vikings signed right tackle Brian O’Neill to a four-year extension worth up to $96 million.

The deal runs through 2030. 

O’Neill was entering the final year of the five-year, $92.5 million rookie extension he received in 2021, and has been a fulltime starter since his rookie season in 2018. 

The Vikings held initial contract discussions with O’Neill early in the offseason but paused talks during interim general manager Rob Brzezinski’s four-month stint. 

Once the team hired a full-time general manager in former Seahawks executive Nolan Teasley to replace former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, extension talks resumed, prompting a deal Tuesday. 

“He’s somebody that’s poured in everything since I’ve been here and a long time before that,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters. “And this organization means so much to him, our fans, our ownership… I know Brian is going to go out there and have the best year yet with the type of offseason he’s had, and his excitement about what we’re doing offensively and where we take it from here.”

O’Neill and left tackle Christian Darrisaw have formed a rock solid tackle duo the last few seasons, a luxury many NFL teams don’t have. 

Per Pro Football Focus, O’Neill allowed 21 pressures in pass protection last season and gave up two sacks.

Though O’Neill has been a mainstay on the Vikings offensive line and has two Pro Bowl selections to his name, injuries have been a concern. 

He has played just three full seasons in his career and was out three games last year because of heel and knee injuries. 

Despite the Vikings not having a clear answer for who will start at quarterback this season, at least either J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray will be well-protected on the field.