The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most talked-about teams in the NFL right now, especially because everyone is waiting with great anticipation to see quarterback J.J. McCarthy in action for the first time in his NFL career.
With so much attention on McCarthy, who was out for his entire rookie season with an injury, sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are other important players in the fold, too.
Going into the new Vikings season, there’s one unassuming player whose contract could use some work. This player signed a huge deal with the Vikings a few years ago, and if they want to keep him, they would be wise to work out a new deal with him soon.
Minnesota Should Pay Attention to Player’s Contract Extension
Ryan Heckman of The Vikings Age has a new feature out on Sunday, June 22, about a certain Vikings player who has just two years left on his deal. That player is starting right tackle Brian O’Neill, who only has two years left on his current $92.5 million contract he signed in 2021.
Heckman says that there’s “one reason why the Vikings need to extend him right now, before the deal becomes a problem.” As he describes, “If you look at the remaining two years on O’Neill’s contract, you will notice one glaring piece of information. He has zero guaranteed money remaining for both 2025 and 2026. After the performance he had in 2024, though, O’Neill is justifiably deserving of guaranteed cash.”
O’Neill’s numbers say it all. He was one of the top tackles ranked by Pro Football Focus last season with an overall grade of 80.8. “Now, even though there are a pair of years remaining on his deal, O’Neill could very well ask for a new contract in regards to guaranteed money being added,” Heckman states.
So, Heckman urges the Vikings to “do themselves a favor by working out an extension now rather than waiting for other veterans to get paid. Getting ahead of the game would likely save them a few extra bucks and also avoid any future distractions.” He’s right. It makes sense for the Vikings to get ahead of any drama that could ensue if O’Neill’s deal goes too long.
Another Thing the Vikings Should Watch
The Vikings are also being urged to watch how they treat McCarthy in the new season. In a June 17 feature for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox names every NFL Team’s to-do roster for the rest of the 2025 offseason and says that the biggest thing the team needs to do is make sure quarterback J.J McCarthy is supported as quarterback No. 1.
“The Minnesota Vikings didn’t bring back Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones in free agency,” McCarthy stated. “That means they’re prepared to turn the reins over to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy even though he missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery.”
He added that “it’s imperative that head coach Kevin McConnell and the Vikings give McCarthy all the support they’d give an established QB1 entering camp. After missing an entire year and watching Darnold lead Minnesota to the playoffs, McCarthy could probably use a confidence boost.”
