Brian O’Neill Is Done Playing Games and Wants to Hit the Jackpot
The Minnesota Vikings have invested a lot of resources into the offense this year. Two new expensive linemen arrived in free agency, and another one with the valuable 24th overall pick in last week’s draft. In addition to that, one running back was re-signed, and another was acquired via trade.
Brian O’Neill Is Done Playing Games and Wants to Hit the Jackpot
All of that combines to one new-looking unit that will be captained by first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The former Michigan Wolverine is a reason for optimism for Vikings fans, but because he is still unproven, he is also a huge question mark.
All of those changes, but one pillar remains: Right tackle Brian O’Neill. The stalwart blocker arrived in the Twin Cities in 2018, and after backing up Rashod Hill for a couple of games, he has been the starting right tackle and a bright spot on an often shaky line ever since. Only C.J. Ham and Harrison Smith have been with the team longer.
Over the years, he has become one of the organization’s leaders on and off the field. That’s why the club sent him to media duties when most veterans reported earlier this week. He gave some fascinating answers.
For example, he revealed that he and Ryan Kelly know each other from the Pro Bowl and other NFL events and that he has already sat down and watched film with his new OL neighbor, Will Fries. Furthermore, he also met Donovan Jackson and took him and his girlfriend to dinner when he first arrived in Minnesota after the draft. O’Neill is taking his leadership role seriously.
Later in the presser, he was asked about the running game and whether he was interested in running the ball more. He gave a response that indicated some sense of urgency. The 29-year-old has only so many more years left, especially in his prime, and he is done wasting those.
O’Neill said, “If you asked me that three years ago, I might have said yes. I want to score 35 points and win every game. At this point, I don’t really care. Not to be a short answer, but I want to win. And however that happens, I’m good with. Whatever we need to do to score one more point than the other team, at this point, if that’s throwing it 75 times, if that’s running it 75 times, let’s go. We gotta make something shake here.”
The upcoming season will be O’Neill’s eighth in the NFL, and he has won one playoff game despite always playing on at least average teams.
Of course, he just said it as a hyperbole, but scoring 35 points is a lofty goal. Even the high-flying 1998 team with Randy Moss running past defenders on seemingly every single play finished the year with 34.8 points per game. Four teams have done it since. The Packers in 2011 (35.0), the Chiefs in 2018 (35.3), the Patriots in 2007 (36.8), and the Broncos in 2013 (37.9).
What did those four teams all have in common? Correct, an all-time great quarterback. It would be absurd to expect McCarthy to be the most explosive version of four Hall of Famers, but there’s one guy in a comparable situation. Patrick Mahomes was a first-year starter in 2018 and took the league by storm.
Back to the original question about a running game with a higher frequency. The Vikings re-signed Aaron Jones, who was quietly playing at a Pro Bowl level last year, and added Jordan Mason via trade. That should give the purple franchise, on paper, a dynamic one-two punch.
The offensive line is always a big part of rushing success. Just compare Saquon Barkley’s New York numbers with those he put up in Philadelphia.
Minnesota’s line is the best in years or even decades. Even on their worst days, Will Fries and Ryan Kelly should be significant upgrades over Ed Ingram/Dalton Risner and Garrett Bradbury. Donovan Jackson will compete with Blake Brandel and has the talent to usurp him, too, although that is never a given for a rookie.
Once Christian Darrisaw returns from his knee injury, the Vikings will have that improved interior offensive line between a pair of standout tackles.
Let’s not forget key blockers C.J. Ham and Josh Oliver. The running game will benefit from the passing attack because Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson will still require a ton of attention from their opponents.
All of that will be commanded by head coach Kevin O’Connell, the reigning Coach of the Year.
O’Neill is under contract for two more seasons. He signed a lucrative contract extension in Rick Spielman’s final offseason, but he’s been worth every penny. The man is always playing at a high level.
His answer sounded like he was done with first-round exits or fighting for playoff spots. He wants more, and his urgency matches that of Vikings fans who have been waiting on a competing team for quite some time.
Maybe that urgency can make a difference and the team can get over the hump.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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