Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) and offensive guard Mike Remmers (74) line up throughout a matchup in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Ford Area in Detroit, Michigan, on Dec. 23, 2018, as Minnesota labored by its late-season offensive plan with safety duties up entrance throughout NFC North motion. Obligatory Credit score: Tim Fuller-Imagn Photographs. Historic Archive.
The Minnesota Vikings’ first common season sport is about 10 weeks away — sure, we’re that shut — and the membership will inevitably make some roster strikes earlier than go-time. So, we’re right here to foretell these, particularly in the course of the quiet time of the NFL calendar when the World Cup, NBA free company, and Wimbledon have taken middle stage.
Ranked in no explicit order, these are the strikes we fairly count on to see from the purple staff and new common supervisor Nolan Teasley.
Brian O’Neill’s Extension Ought to Be the First Transfer on the Board
Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) warms up at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, with Jan. 4, 2026, inserting the pregame scene in Minneapolis earlier than a matchup in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. O’Neill strikes by his routine as Minnesota’s offensive line prepares for an additional NFC North check inside its house venue that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Photographs.
1. Brian O’Neill’s Contract Prolonged
O’Neill’s contract state of affairs is simple. As he’s set to turn out to be a free agent in 2027, the Vikings ought to proactively handle his future to take care of continuity on their offensive line. Extending O’Neill, an important part of the trenches, is a rational step. Providing new assured cash simply is smart.
Whereas O’Neill will flip 31 quickly and issues about getting older gamers are frequent, he has proven no marked decline in efficiency. Offensive tackles, notably these as constant as O’Neill, typically age extra gracefully than gamers in positions that endure better abuse.
O’Neill has been the Vikings’ most dependable offensive lineman since 2018, recognized for his sturdiness and steadiness. The Vikings face a transparent selection: lengthen O’Neill or let him stroll subsequent March.
Prediction: Vikings lengthen O’Neill on a three-year, $66 million deal.
2. OLB Leonard Floyd Signed
With Jonathan Greenard’s departure, the Vikings have a transparent want for an extra outdoors linebacker. They simply do. What occurs if Andrew Van Ginkel or Dallas Turner get damage? Begin the season with Turner and Bo Richter as the principle EDGE rushers?
The commerce of Greenard and a Seventh-round decide to the Eagles for a 2026 Third-Rounder and a 2027 Third-Rounder, whereas a good return, altered their pass-rushing depth. With Greenard, their go rush was formidable; with out him, the first burden falls on Van Ginkel and Turner, with significantly less-experienced backups.
That’s the place Floyd may show invaluable. Floyd’s familiarity with Kevin O’Connell (2021 Los Angeles Rams Tremendous Bowl season) may put this deal excessive. Bringing him in would add a veteran who can play a excessive quantity of snaps, which might be essential if accidents accumulate.
The transfer is just not a few blockbuster signing, however moderately a strategic acquisition to forestall the EDGE room from changing into dangerously skinny by midseason.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz famous on Floyd as an choice for the Vikings in Might, “Floyd was the 9th overall pick by the Bears out of Georgia back in 2016. He’s never been a Pro Bowler but has had a strong ten-year career in the NFL. After four years in Chicago, he had the three best years of his career with the Rams from 2020-22.”
He’s now in his mid-30s, however Floyd has by no means had a season with fewer than 36 QB pressures. Floyd overlapped with Kevin O’Connell in LA for 2 seasons and could be an enormous addition for the Vikings if they’ll get him on one thing like a one-year, $8 million deal.
Prediction: Vikings lengthen Floyd to a one-year, $6 million deal.
3. Blake Brandel’s Deal Prolonged by 2 Years
Brandel’s trajectory as O’Connell’s beginning middle in 2026 is notable, particularly given his standing only a few years in the past. Regardless of alternatives to draft a middle this offseason, the Vikings waited till Spherical 7 to pick Gavin Gerhardt from Cincinnati. It appears Brandel is “the guy” at middle in 2026.
Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) works in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium, with Jan. 13, 2025 marking the NFC Wild Card setting in Glendale, Arizona. Brandel battles within the trenches as Minnesota’s offensive line faces a high-pressure postseason task in opposition to a bodily Rams entrance that night time. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
His contract additionally expires after the 2026 season, and the staff’s obvious belief in him is clear. His capability to play a number of positions on the offensive line is rattling close to sacred, contemplating the OL accidents that emerged all over final yr.
The Vikings prioritize versatile gamers like Brandel. He’s been with the franchise since 2020 and would possibly as properly stick round for a few years.
Prediction: Vikings lengthen Brandel on a two-year, $12 million deal.
4. Vikings Signal OG Daniel Brunskill or Liam Eichenberg
Until the Vikings convert third-year sort out Walter Rouse to protect — that’s an actual chance — the guard depth is a bit skinny. Minnesota would principally depend on Joe Huber, an undrafted free agent from 2025, as the principle go-to if one thing occurred injury-wise to Donovan Jackson or Will Fries.
Tennessee Titans offensive sort out Daniel Brunskill (60) heads to the sphere at Nissan Stadium, with Dec. 3, 2023, inserting the pregame scene in Nashville earlier than a matchup in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. Brunskill walks out forward of kickoff as Tennessee’s offensive line prepares for an AFC South sport at house. Obligatory Credit score: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK.
In the meantime, O’Connell now has Frank Smith on his teaching employees, who beforehand served because the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator for 4 seasons and is now Minnesota’s new assistant head coach. Needing guard assist, Smith may name on a lineman from his Miami days. Brunskill and Eichenberg are free brokers.
Brunskill performed 176 offensive snaps final yr, with a 60.6 Professional Soccer Focus grade to indicate for it. Eichenberg didn’t play in any respect final yr because of harm, and his profession could possibly be in jeopardy.
Prediction: Vikings signal Brunskill to a one-year, veteran minimal deal.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
