Brian O’Neill Bio
Brian Cormac O’Neill (born September 15, 1995) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 141 kilograms, he plays a premium position along the offensive line and has become a fixture of the Vikings’ front five. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he developed from a converted tight end into a top NFL prospect.
O’Neill was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft and has spent his entire professional career with the franchise. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and signed a five-year contract extension in 2021 that runs through 2026. Off the field, he married Bryn Gorelick in March 2024.
Early Life and Background
Brian O’Neill was born on September 15, 1995, in Wilmington, Delaware. He grew up in a family with deep athletic ties. His father, Brendan O’Neill, played football at Dartmouth College, and his mother, Elizabeth O’Neill, swam at Northeastern University. His older brother, Eamon O’Neill, was a two-time Delaware player of the year in soccer for the Salesianum School team and went on to play at Northwestern. His uncle is John Carney, the former Mayor of Wilmington and Governor of Delaware, who also played football at Dartmouth.
O’Neill attended Salesianum School in Wilmington, where he starred in multiple sports. In addition to football, he played basketball and lacrosse, showcasing the kind of athletic versatility that would later serve him well on the gridiron. As a senior, he was a productive two-way player, catching 33 passes for 614 yards and eight touchdowns on offense while tallying 45 tackles, five sacks, 13 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries on defense.
Path to American Football
Rated a three-star recruit, O’Neill committed to play football at the University of Pittsburgh in July 2013, choosing the Panthers over scholarship offers from Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, and Tulane, among others. He was recruited as a tight end, a position that highlighted his receiving skills and frame. O’Neill redshirted his true freshman year in 2014, preserving a year of eligibility while he adjusted to the college game.
In July 2015, O’Neill made the positional switch that would define his career, moving from tight end to offensive tackle. The change was designed to take advantage of his size, athleticism, and footwork. After missing only the first game of the 2015 season, he started every remaining game for Pittsburgh from 2015 through 2017, stringing together 37 consecutive starts. His development into a reliable edge protector earned him All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and positioned him for an early leap to the NFL.
Brian O’Neill Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Entering the 2018 NFL draft after his redshirt junior season, O’Neill made a strong impression at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.82 seconds, the fastest time among all offensive linemen that year and the best for a lineman since 2013. He also posted the top three-cone drill time among offensive linemen at 7.14 seconds. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the second round with the 62nd overall pick.
O’Neill began his rookie season as a backup tackle behind Riley Reiff and Rashod Hill. He made his first career start in Week 6 at right tackle after Hill shifted to left tackle to replace an injured Reiff, and he held the position for the rest of the season. He settled into a starting role from there and spent his first three NFL seasons anchoring the right side of the Vikings’ offensive line.
Minnesota Vikings Breakthrough (2021-2022)
On September 8, 2021, O’Neill signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract extension with the Vikings, securing his long-term future with the franchise. He responded to the deal with one of his strongest seasons as a pro, demonstrating the pass-blocking and run-blocking consistency that had made him a cornerstone of the line. His play earned him his first career Pro Bowl nod following the 2021 campaign.
O’Neill was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl in recognition of his body of work that season, joining a select group of tackles league-wide. He continued to feature prominently in Minnesota’s protection schemes as the Vikings advanced in the NFC playoff picture, providing stability at right tackle through the postseason.
Vikings Injury and Recovery (2023-2024)
O’Neill’s momentum was interrupted on January 3, 2023, when he was placed on injured reserve. Shortly thereafter, he underwent surgery to repair a partially torn Achilles tendon, ending his season. The injury marked the most significant setback of his career to that point and required an extensive rehabilitation process.
O’Neill worked his way back to full strength and returned to the field for the 2024 season. His comeback year featured the kind of reliable play that had defined his earlier tenure with the Vikings, and he earned a second Pro Bowl selection for his performance. He reasserted himself as a foundational piece of Minnesota’s offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Neill is regarded as a quick-footed tackle whose rare athletic testing translates directly to the field. His 4.82-second 40-yard dash and top three-cone drill time at the 2018 NFL Combine underscored the lateral quickness and acceleration that anchor his pass-protection game. He pairs that movement skill with a tall, long frame, allowing him to redirect speed rushers and mirror edge defenders on the outside.
Notable Events and Milestones
O’Neill’s 4.82-second 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Combine ranks as one of the fastest times ever recorded by an offensive lineman. His five-year, $92.5 million contract extension in September 2021 was a defining off-field milestone, and he has been selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 2021 and 2024.
Brian O’Neill Career Highlights
Across his time at Salesianum School, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Minnesota Vikings, Brian O’Neill has built a resume marked by durability, athletic testing, and individual recognition. He started 37 consecutive games in college and has been a mainstay of the Vikings’ offensive line since his rookie season. His two Pro Bowl nods underscore his standing among the league’s top tackles.
Minnesota Vikings Highlights
O’Neill has spent his entire NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. He has served as a starting right tackle, made his regular-season debut as a starter in Week 6 of his rookie year, and earned Pro Bowl honors following the 2021 and 2024 seasons. He signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract extension in September 2021 that keeps him with the franchise through 2026.
College Highlights
At Pittsburgh, O’Neill earned Third-team All-ACC honors in 2016 and First-team All-ACC honors in 2017, capping a three-year run as a full-time starter. He declared for the 2018 NFL draft after his redshirt junior season and was selected 62nd overall.
Brian O’Neill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
O’Neill comes from a family with deep roots in athletics and public service. His father, Brendan O’Neill, played football at Dartmouth, and his mother, Elizabeth O’Neill, swam at Northeastern. His older brother, Eamon O’Neill, was a standout soccer player at Salesianum School and Northwestern, while his uncle, John Carney, played football at Dartmouth before going on to serve as Mayor of Wilmington and later as Governor of Delaware.
Personal Life
Brian O’Neill married his high school sweetheart, Bryn Gorelick, in March 2024. The two have been together since their years at Salesianum School in Wilmington. O’Neill continues to make his home in the United States, where he balances his NFL career with his family life.
2025 Season Performance
Brian O’Neill enters the 2025 season as a foundational piece of the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line, coming off his second Pro Bowl selection in 2024. He continues to operate as the team’s starting right tackle and is counted on to anchor the edge in both the run and pass game. With his contract extension running through 2026, he is firmly in the prime of his career and remains a key voice in the locker room.
The Vikings will look to O’Neill to provide the kind of stability that has defined his tenure, particularly in pass-protection situations against top edge rushers. His experience, athleticism, and postseason pedigree make him a central figure in Minnesota’s offensive plans.
As the 2025 season unfolds, O’Neill’s health and consistency will be central to the Vikings’ success. Coming off an Achilles repair in early 2023, his ability to stay on the field and perform at a Pro Bowl level will be one of the most important storylines for both the team and the player.