Viewed by many as Minnesota’s best offensive linemen, O’Neill is a leader of a group that features a pair of rookies plus a handful of other young players that will hopefully continue to develop.
“I mean, people might ask me a couple more questions here or there, but I really don’t think [my role] has [changed],” O’Neill said in mid-August. “I try to be the same guy every day this year as I have been the last couple years. Try to be myself, and hopefully that energy and attention to detail attracts guys and they want to come along.”
Others have noticed O’Neill blossoming into one of the league’s better right tackles over the past three seasons in Minnesota. During joint practices with Denver last month, Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller said O’Neill was one of the league’s “best right tackles.”
“I mean, that’s a Super Bowl MVP who’s probably going to be wearing a Gold Jacket,” O’Neill said, showing a mutual admiration. “It was pretty cool to get two days of work against him in that environment, being able to get that many reps in that many different situations.”
