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MN Vikings Pro Bowler Planning Hold-In?
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- MN Vikings Pro Bowler Planning Hold-In?
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
In just 10 days, the Minnesota Vikings will take the practice fields at TCO Performance Center for the start of training camp . Obviously, all eyes will be on the quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy.
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However, questions remain across the roster, even if we assume the 2026 Vikings will stay healthier than the 2025 team, which was ravaged by injuries from the start of training camp, through week 18 of the regular season.
The secondary looks thin and unproven, both at safety and cornerback. That's true whether Harrison Smith returns or not . Same can be said for both the offensive and defensive lines, linebackers and running backs too.
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Minnesota Vikings bracing for key hold-in at training camp?
Then Tuesday, in a story at The Athletic , Vikings insider Alec Lewis strongly insinuated that right tackle Brian O'Neill will kick off training camp by "holding in" for a new contract.
Brian O'Neill, T: Perhaps the team's only offensive player with an unresolved contract situation heading into 2026. His early-camp participation (or lack thereof) will warrant attention.
Related: Vikings Legend Reveals Who Drove Bus on JJ McCarthy Draft Pick
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Back in the old NFL days, players used to "hold out" of training camp, when they wanted a new contract. They were supposed to be fined, but teams were allowed to rescind those fines, once the two sides came to terms on a deal.
That changed a handful of years back, when the league made those fines non-negotiable. The result was the "hold in", where unhappy players come to camp but refuse to participate in certain activities, depending on the level of their frustration.
What could a Brian O'Neill hold-in look like?
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Sometimes even, players won't admit they are holding in. Remember back in 2024, when TJ Hockenson developed a variety of different ailments at Minnesota Vikings training camp, before he eventually got a new deal and magically returned to full-health.
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From what Lewis wrote above, it sounds like we'll soon find out what a hold-in looks like for Brian O'Neill, who's been a part of the Vikings organization since 2018, when he was drafted No. 62 overall by Rick Spielman.
He's gone on to play 124 games over the course of 8 seasons, making 2 Pro Bowls and developing into the most reliable offensive lineman in recent Minnesota Vikings history.
This isnt as Easy as Brian O'Neill makes this look! #inthetrenches #movethepilemonday #nfl #skol #minnesota #vikings #oline #pancake #coach #coaching @brian_oneill_ @Vikings https://t.co/5aZYtoq5mB pic.twitter.com/jSJlojrmzS
— AQ Shipley (@aqshipley) November 3, 2025
O'Neill is about to turn 31 years old so this could be his last opportunity to cash in big as a football player. Thus, it makes sense that he'd want to lock in a new deal now, before he puts that next big payday at risk for another 17-game season.
Could Nolan Teasley be holding this deal back?
But will new general manager Nolan Teasley oblige? It felt like a lock with Rob Brzezinski or Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in charge. However, Alec's report today seems to suggest that hammering out an extension with Brian O'Neill may not be as smooth as it did with past general managers.
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We've also seen the Minnesota Vikings use the days right before the start of camp to get these types of contract negotiations done. That could be in play here too. Yet again, however, it's difficult to project how these things will work under new leadership.
Related: Rapoport Claims Vikings QB Battle is Far From Over…
There's no doubt an extension for O'Neill could make sense for the Vikings, especially if they're trying to clear some cap space for moves during the preseason.
The former Pittsburgh Panther is due to count for $23.1 million against the salary cap next season. Realistically, a new deal could cut down that first year number by more than half.
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