Bryant McKinnie was voted as the OT1 for the Vikings All Quarter Century Team. Which other tackle will end up joining him in this elite group?
In a fairly competitive race, Bryant McKinnie won the vote to be our first offensive tackle named to the Vikings All Quarter Century Team. Before the poll, I truly did not know where the community was going to go, but you made your voices heard and McKinnie is the guy.
With one tackle out of the way, let’s jump back into the poll to see who will join him on the All Quarter Century Team!
Brian O’Neill (2018-present)
O’Neill transitioned from playing tight end into an offensive tackle at the University of Pittsburgh before being selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Like most tackles on this list, O’Neill is a monolithic 6’7 and 310 pounds which he carries very well on his frame. A steady presence for the Vikings over the last seven seasons, he’s started 106 games of 110 that he’s played in, making two Pro Bowls (2021 and 2024).
Phil Loadholt (2009-2015)
Loadholt played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma before being selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he started 15 games and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In all, Loadholt started all 89 games he played in for the franchise, missing only two regular season games through his first five seasons. In year six, Loadholt was limited to 11 starts due to a pectoral injury he sustained in November of that year.
Loadholt’s seventh season was ended before it began when he tore his Achilles tendon during a preseason game against the Bucs. In July of 2016, he announced his retirement from the NFL.
When healthy, Loadholt was one of the league’s best right tackles during his time in the NFL.
Christian Darrisaw (2021-present)
Darrisaw was drafted by the Vikings with the 23rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He would go on to start immediately in Minnesota but was limited to just 12 games (10 starts) as a rookie due to injuries.
When he’s healthy, he’s truly one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. Unfortunately, the injuries came back with a vengeance in 2024. Darrisaw started just seven games after putting together 14 starts and 15 starts in the previous two seasons, respectively.
If he can shake this injury bug, I would not be surprised if he ends up being one of the best tackles in franchise history.