The Value of One Vikings Veteran Can’t Be Overlooked
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his team worked tirelessly over the offseason to give head coach Kevin O’Connell what he publicly stated he needed: a better offensive line. O’Connell appears to have his wish as the Vikings’ OL for 2025, which looks strong on paper, but the value of one Vikings veteran shouldn’t be overlooked amongst the revamped Vikings offensive line.
The Value of One Vikings Veteran Can’t Be Overlooked
That man is Brian O’Neill.
A stalwart on the Vikings’ OL for seven seasons, O’Neill has always been the model of consistency. He was rewarded for his efforts in 2024 with his second vote to the Pro Bowl after previously making it in 2021. O’Neill might not be as highly rated as Lane Johnson or Penei Sewell, but the list of right tackles better than the Viking is short.
His overall grade of 80.2 and pass blocking grade of 82.1 from Pro Football Focus were both 12th best across the league for all tackles. His run-blocking grade of 74.6 was 20th across the league, showing his consistency for the position.
PFF also selected O’Neill as one of their top three players for the Vikings, alongside Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw. They had this to say about their selection of O’Neill: “O’Neill earned a 0.43 WAR, the third-highest mark on the team in 2024”. An excellent pass protector, O’Neill only allowed two sacks last season, just one in 2023, and none in 2022. The stats say he didn’t allow a single QB hit across the last three seasons. He is as reliable as you could hope for on the right flank to protect your young quarterback.
A second-round pick back in 2018 out of Pittsburgh, O’Neill quickly became Minnesota’s starting right tackle, and the only injury has seen him displaced since. O’Neill turns 30 in September, but linemen can keep going well into their 30s. Trent Williams is 36 and has been the best tackle in football over recent years, and he still played at an elite level in 2024. With two years left on the five-year, $92.5 million contract extension he signed in 2021.
The Vikings’ right tackle should have plenty more years left in purple, and with huge cap hits well above $20 million over the next two years, he could be due a well-deserved extension at some point to bring those numbers down and secure his services longer term.
Revamped Offensive Line
The biggest unknown of the 2025 Vikings is QB JJ McCarthy. They have built a team to win in Minnesota, but naturally, some will have doubts over a QB who missed his entire rookie season through injury. O’Neill and Darrisaw have made the Vikings solid on the edge over the last four seasons, but the problem in Minnesota has been a soft middle to their offensive line. Something that often reared its ugly head when playing the top teams. The playoff defeat in Los Angeles was the latest example of the Rams’ defensive line dominating.
Something had to be done to give O’Neill and Darrisaw better support. Adofo-Mensah answered the call with a complete change to the interior offensive line. Assuming first-round rookie Donovan Jackson beats out incumbent left guard, Blake Brandel, which he is expected to do. Minnesota will have a completely new IOL after signing the center and right guard duo of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries in free agency. Both arrived via Indianapolis, where they were teammates.
McCarthy should get the best protection a Vikings QB has received in a long time this season. O’Neill will be a huge part of that, and the importance of a veteran shouldn’t be overlooked.
Former Vikings QB Keeps Door Open
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