The price for really talented players is getting higher and higher every single day. Over the last week, the price for edge rushers has gone significantly up with the extensions for T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers and George Karlaftis of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Edge rusher isn't the only spot that has seen the price go up, as the Green Bay Packers extended right tackle Zach Tom on Monday afternoon to a four-year deal worth up to $92 million.
Vikings should extend Brian O'Neill quickly
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done a great job in attacking different needs on the roster. He's done so not just with players who are free agents, but Adofo-Mensah has taken care of players who are still on the roster. He did so with edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel earlier this offseason with a one year, $23 million extension. Josh Oliver also got a contract extension in a similar way, but his was for three years and $27 million.
There aren't many players who make sense for an extension right now. Safety Josh Metellus has been a prime candidate for the better part of a year, but his case for an extension is a difficult one.
The most likely candidate is going to be right tackle Brian O'Neill. Right now, he has two years remaining with approximately $37.4 million in cash remaining to be paid out in 2025 and 2026.
With Tom getting $23 million AAV, that is $4.5 million more than what O'Neill's contract was worth when he signed it in 2021. One thing that's interesting is O'Neill's deal was more on the salary cap from a percentage standpoint than what Tom's is, and it's especially topical since O'Neill is a better player than Tom.
With contract extensions being signed so quickly ahead of the dog days of training camp, getting one done with O'Neill would be smart business. They can maneuver with the $26 million cap hi this year and the $23.2 million cap hit in 2026, which is going to be more important with the salary cap situation being in a tough spot next season.
What would an extension look like? O'Neill is currently signed through his age 32 season, which could end up complicating things. However, he should be able to play well as he gets deeper into his 30s. That shouldn't be too much of a concern.
A contract extension in the neighborhood of three years, $72 million ($24 million AAV) would be fair for what O'Neill is and will continue to be. The Vikings can also add void years onto the back end of the deal to maneuver with the salary cap, something that is going to become more and more important to maximize with J.J. McCarthy on a rookie contract.
Getting it done is the tough part, but achieving it would be ideal for the Vikings.
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