Vikings Territory: A Different Take On Vikings ‘Most Irreplaceable' Player

Press release from Vikings Territory:

July 7, 2021

The ripe speculative period of the NFL offseason – you know, like now – is in full force, and stuff like “what player cannot afford to be lost” topics twist around the digital water cooler.

Who is that for the 2021 Minnesota Vikings? The masses saw in 2020 what the defensive line did – a nasty memory – without Danielle Hunter. He probably tops most folks’ list for players the Vikings can ill-afford to live without. The drop-off from Adam Thielen or Justin Jefferson – to Chad Beebe or Bisi Johnson is steep as hell. That one deserves diligence for this conversation.

If not Hunter, Thielen, Jefferson, or Cousins – names like Eric Kendricks and Dalvin Cook are leftover. Are they the most irreplaceable members of the Vikings?

“The Minnesota Vikings are not on track to possess much salary-cap space next offseason (what’s new?), which could make things tricky when it comes to deciding what to do with impending 2022 free agents Brian O’Neill, Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr. Who should take priority? We’ll go with O’Neill, who has arguably emerged as the team’s best offensive lineman and is four years younger than Carr and seven years younger than Smith. The offensive line has been an issue for the Vikings for quite some time. They’d be silly to let a talented, young second-round pick get away at the tackle position.”

So, yes. A compelling argument, as expressed by Bleacher Report, can be offered on why O’Neill is the one guy that the Vikings cannot afford to lose.

O’Neill is due for a contract extension. His contract ceases at the end of 2021. That’s about six months away. General Manager Rick Spielman will ideally hash out a deal with the University of Pittsburgh alumnus before the 2021 season commences. If not, late winter of 2022 will be suspenseful.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory. The views expressed here are the author’s own.