EAGAN, Minn. — Brian O'Neill is now a first-time Pro Bowler.
The Vikings right tackle was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl on Wednesday and will replace Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is unable to participate due to injury.
O'Neill turned in the best season of his career in 2021 after signing a multiyear contract extension just before his fourth campaign with the team.
The 26-year-old, who was a first-time captain in 2021, cemented himself as one of the league's top right tackles.
He wasn't named to either All-Pro Team by The Associated Press, but he received three total votes, a sign that people around the league have taken notice of his play.
His pass blocking was likely a key reason for that increased national attention. According to analytics website Pro Football Focus, O'Neill ranked 13th with a pass-blocking grade of 78.2 among all tackles (left and right) who played at least 800 offensive snaps.
O'Neill, who led the Vikings in pass-blocking grades and was also the team's highest-graded lineman at 73.7, allowed just one sack on the season (and it didn't occur until Week 18).
O'Neill is the first Vikings offensive lineman to be named to a Pro Bowl since tackle Matt Kalil in 2012.
