In a Single Move, The Vikings Put a Couple of Well-Paid Large Lads on Notice
Drafting towering offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan appears to be a good decision. After all, he was projected by many to be a possible 2nd, so getting him at the end of the 3rd appears to be great value.
Does the Vikings’ addition prefigure a possible subtraction at either RG or RT?
At this stage, a Vikings team without Brian O’Neill is hard to envision. The extension candidate is moving into the final year of his contract, creating a scenario where he could walk if no deal gets done. Moving inward means seeing Will Fries directly beside O’Neill. He’s moving into the second season of his five-year deal, but moving on becomes financially feasible in a season. A future where Tiernan replaces one of these lads in 2027 isn’t that difficult to foresee.
The Vikings are Rallying Around Trio of Promising O-Linemen
Tiernan played left tackle in college. Shouldn’t he be pushing out somebody on that left side? Not likely.
LT1 Christian Darrisaw is a stud who only has a single flaw: health, or lack thereof. Seeing him figure out that single deficit in his game (albeit a major one) would involve employing of the game’s true monsters at the left tackle position.
There’s then LG1 Donovan Jackson, somebody who had a rock-solid rookie season. In all likelihood, the Ohio State alumnus is going to keep improving, turning into the weekly difference maker whom Minnesota can trust to move the line of scrimmage on the majority of snaps. Count me among those who think that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did well with that selection.
If Caleb Tiernan desires a spot in the starting lineup, then the right side is the best path forward.
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The towering tackle is a behemoth of a person, standing at 6’8″ but with shorter arms (he appears to be growing frustrated about discussing his supposedly short arms). Many foresee a world where he needs to kick inside to offset those potential issues with his arms, but that remains to be seen.
At the very least, Tiernan appears to be a great option to solidify the depth. He moves well and carries himself with confidence. So, too, does he boast nice feet, capable of doing well in green grass.
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Best of all (at least from a team building perspective) is that Caleb Tiernan is remarkably cheap. His cap charge in 2026 comes in at $1,217,073, per Over the Cap. Coming seasons will see him costing more, but only on a modest level. His fourth and final season from within that rookie contract will be roughly $2.13 million. In short, a complete bargain, especially if he actually becomes the starter at RG or RT.
Next year, Will Fries is going to see his cap charge swell to $21,500,000, a total that will repeat itself in 2028 and 2029. If Fries becomes elite, then the money is worth it. If he doesn’t, then a cut would mean freeing $9.5 million next offseason.
Bringing O’Neill back has a ton of merit. A strong leader and great athlete, O’Neill would very likely demand a contract that begins at a minimum of $20 million per season. Again, there’s merit in keeping him in the Twin Cities since he is such a rugged, competitive ball player. But would the newcomer at a fraction of the cost be better for the team in its entirety?
Caleb Tiernan is wearing the #78 jersey. The 23-year-old Northwestern alum is a hulking 6’8″ and 325 pounds.
