With training camp just 10 days away at TCO Performance Center, the Minnesota Vikings are heading toward the usual flood of questions - and one of the biggest may involve a familiar face on the right side of the offensive line.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic strongly suggested on Tuesday that right tackle Brian O’Neill could open camp by “holding in” while he seeks a new contract.
That would mark a modern twist on the old-school “hold out.” In the past, players would simply stay away from camp altogether while chasing a new deal.
Once the league made those fines non-negotiable, the tactic shifted. Now unhappy players can report to camp but skip certain on-field work, depending on how far they’re willing to push things.
Sometimes the signs are subtle. Sometimes they’re not. The Vikings saw something similar in 2024 with TJ Hockenson, who dealt with a string of different ailments at training camp before eventually landing a new deal and returning to full health.
If Lewis’ reporting is any indication, O’Neill may be next in line for that kind of standoff.
The 2018 draft pick has been one of the most dependable pieces in Minnesota for a long time. Selected No. 62 overall by Rick Spielman, he has played 124 games across 8 seasons, earned 2 Pro Bowls, and become the most reliable offensive lineman in recent Vikings history.
He’s also approaching a key financial moment. O’Neill is about to turn 31, which makes this a natural time for him to try to secure one more major payday before another 17-game season puts that chance at risk.
The bigger question is whether new general manager Nolan Teasley will move quickly enough to make it happen. Under Rob Brzezinski or Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, this might have felt like a near-certain extension. Lewis’ report, though, suggests the process may not be as straightforward with the current leadership.
The Vikings have also used the days right before camp to get deals done in the past, so a late resolution is still very much on the table. Even so, the change in front office makes the situation harder to read.
From the team’s side, an extension would make plenty of sense. O’Neill is set to count $23.1 million against the salary cap next season, and a new contract could trim that first-year number by more than half, creating room for other preseason moves.
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