Should the Vikings Follow in One of Their Rival’s Footsteps?
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings handed out multiple large contracts to shore up their offensive line.
Will Fries was given a five-year deal worth $87.7 million to replace Ed Ingram at right guard, and Ryan Kelly got a two-year contract for $18 million to replace Garrett Bradbury at center.
Minnesota’s offensive line should be in a much better place heading into 2025, but should they follow in one of their rival’s footsteps and make another move to lockdown a position long term?
Packers Recently Re-Signed RT Zach Tom. Should the Vikings Follow Suit?
This week, the Green Bay Packers locked down their starting right tackle Zach Tom with the two sides agreeing to a four-year, $88 million contract that will keep him in Green Bay through the 2029 season.
Tom, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, emerged as a full-time starter in 2023 and has grown into one of the more elite offensive tackles in the NFL. Last season, his 87.5 PFF grade ranked sixth among all offensive tackles, and his 87.8 run blocking grade ranked third.
It comes after the Packers also signed Aaron Banks in free agency, solidifying their interior offensive line in similar fashion to the Vikings.
Of course, Minnesota’s right tackle, Brian O’Neill is still under contract through the 2026 season after he signed a five-year deal with the Vikings back in 2021.
The problem could lie within his cap hits over the next couple years as O’Neill carries hits of $26 million and $23.2 million over the next two years, respectively. The Vikings find themselves in the worst salary cap situation in the NFL next year, currently sitting nearly $61 million over 2026’s projected salary cap, per Over the Cap.
If the Vikings were to offer a new extension to O’Neill that could save them tens of millions in 2026 while ensuring the right tackle finishes the prime years of his NFL career in Minnesota.
It also would help O’Neill line up with Christian Darrisaw, who signed a new four-year extension last offseason that will keep him in Minnesota through the 2029 season. That 2029 campaign will be O’Neill’s age-34 season, which is likely around when the Vikings will begin looking around for a new right tackle.
Of course, the Vikings could also look to the draft to find a replacement for O’Neill if for whatever reason they don’t want to give him a new contract.
After making just five picks in 2025, the Vikings hold each of their Rounds 1-3 picks for 2026 and 2027. One of those picks very easily could go towards a high-end offensive tackle, but it’s very difficult to tell what other needs the roster will have by that point.
Ultimately, it makes a lot of sense for Minnesota to keep their star right tackle in purple for the foreseeable future, and hopefully, a contract extension will be worked out at some point over the next 12 months.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Over the Cap and Pro Football Focus.
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