Brian O’Neill signs $92.5 million extension with Vikings

Former Pitt offensive lineman Brian O’Neill signed a multiyear contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday ahead of his fourth season with the team. The deal is worth an average of $18.5 million per year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, who reported its value at $92.5 million over five years.

“Getting to play for this team is a privilege, and I’m just honored and happy to be able to keep doing it," O'Neill told reporters on Wednesday. "The certain point [where I decided to agree to this deal] was earlier this offseason, when I said I want to be here no matter what. I’ve known that for a long time.”

The Vikings selected O’Neill in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft with the 62nd overall pick. At the time, the selection was viewed as a somewhat surprising choice by the Vikings, given O’Neill’s position. But the pick has since paid off, as O'Neill quickly moved up the depth chart and now serves as the franchise’s starting right tackle.

O’Neill will play the 2021 season on the final year of his rookie contract, a four-year deal valued at $4.4 million. That contract, which was backloaded, is set to pay him $2.4 million in the coming season, making him the second-highest-paid lineman on the team, behind Christian Darrisaw, who is set to make $7.7 million. O’Neill’s salary also ranks 14th on the team. His new contract will make him the second-highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.

The 6’7”, 310-pound tackle has appeared in 46 career games for the Vikings since his arrival in 2018, making 42 starts, with each one coming at right tackle. O’Neill claimed the starting right tackle job in October 2018 and has held onto it ever since. He is now expected to remain in Minnesota through the 2026 season.