As Nolan Teasley steps into his new role as general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, he has a shortened timeframe to do much in terms of tweaking the 2026 roster. But there are some things, with short and long-term implications, he'll have to deal with in short order.
Teasley will be working in concert with head coach Kevin O'Connell and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski as he makes decisions. But he ultimately, apparently, will have the final say, and his name will be imprinted at the top of everything that's done as he builds his resume as a general manager.
Of course, there will be a lot of tough decisions made now and down the road. In the moment, before things play out completely, Vikings fans won't love every decision Teasley spearheads.
New 2027 mock draft predicts one of Nolan Teasley's biggest early decisions as Minnesota Vikings' GM
In a new 2027 mock draft from Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, with the order determined by FanDuel's updated Super Bowl odds, the Vikings have the 13th overall pick. As things sit right now, they could do any of many things with their first-round pick next April, wherever it sits, but Sobleski has them replacing a long-time starter.
"13. Minnesota Vikings: OT Trevor Goosby, Texas"
With six quarterbacks already off the board, the Minnesota Vikings may have to look elsewhere to address the game's most important position. Maybe the organization will see enough from Kyler Murray or JJ McCarthy not to be in a position where this setup proves devastating. Either way, the Vikings turn to the trenches to help whoever is behind center.
"Long-time right tackle Brian O'Neill is entering the last year of his contract and turns 32 next year. Minnesota can draft O'Neill's replacement and establish an excellent pair of bookends."
"Texas' Trevor Goosby is a natural left tackle, though he does have some experience on the right side. He showed marked improvement during his first full year as a starter. He can flip sides in Minnesota, while also serving as insurance since Christian Darrisaw has yet to play a full regular-season slate during his five-year career."
Sobleski is suggesting the Vikings will let Brian O'Neill play out the final year of his contract, then let him hit the open market with little or no resistance before replacing him with Goolsby in the draft.
A projected market value of $21.1 million per year doesn't feel exorbitant for O'Neill, as it would keep him pretty much in the same spot among the highest-paid right tackles in the NFL. Even the three-year deal Spotrac currently projects isn't aggressive, as O'Neill would be age-32, 33, and 34 in those seasons.
But if more dollars need to be allocated to other spots on the roster after this season, namely quarterback, getting younger and cheaper at right tackle is absolutely possible.
Shy of Sobleski's prediction that he'll be replaced in next April's draft, a firm decision on an extension for O'Neill could be postponed until Teasley shapes his view of the entire roster picture.
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