He’s excited to work with Fries and Kelly, whose existing rapport with each other should help as the 2025 position group works to gel.
O’Neill noted the three have already gotten out on the golf course together, as well.
“Have a lot of respect for Ryan, just following his career. I got to meet him a couple times over the years, whether we played him or at different NFL events,” O’Neill said. “Will, we’ve started watching film together, kind of understanding how each other plays. It’s going to take some time and reps for all three of us, all five of us, really, to get to be one cohesive unite.”
Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper has reminded O’Neill and his linemates that while communication may need to be simpler at this stage, it will pay off down the road.
“Hopefully we can play together for a long time and then … you just kind of give them a look and you’re ready to go,” O’Neill said. “So it’s on us to start at the baseline and build it up the right way.
“Will is a big dude,” he added with a laugh. “I shook his hand was like, ‘Whoa, OK.’ So yeah, I’m really excited about them both.”