Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus being absent from voluntary OTAs last week raised eyebrows, as it was unusual for the team captain and emotional leader.
That absence wasn’t a one-off—Metellus sat out 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp as well, hinting at a pattern.
The likely reason? He’s entering the final year of his contract and appears to be seeking a new deal.
After Wednesday’s practice on June 11, Metellus spoke about the situation.
“Everything’s fine—it’s just part of the process,” Metellus told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson. “The coaches and front office all understand where things stand. I’m here with my teammates, old and new, continuing to build chemistry. I haven’t changed—I’m still the same guy.”
Back in 2022, the Vikings gave Metellus a two-year, $8 million extension, betting on his potential under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He didn’t just meet expectations—he exceeded them.
A former sixth-round pick in 2020 who had started just three games in his first three seasons, Metellus has since started 27 games and logged over 1,000 defensive snaps in each of the past two years.
Under Flores, Metellus has thrived in a flexible, ever-changing defensive scheme. He’s arguably the unit’s most adaptable player, lining up in more than a dozen roles ranging from coverage to rushing the passer.
That versatility has complicated contract talks, as it’s hard to pin down his value to just one position.
Still, Metellus sees himself first and foremost as a safety. He said he picked up multiple roles out of necessity, playing behind future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum—who recently signed a $15 million-per-year deal with the Colts.
“I had to adapt. There was a Hall of Famer and a $15 million guy in the room,” Metellus said. “So I had to figure out where I fit.”
With his performance and flexibility, Metellus could command a contract in the same range as Bynum’s, which ranks among the top 10 highest-paid safeties in the league.
“At the end of the day, I came into the league as a safety—that’s my true position,” Metellus said. “Everything else just adds to my value. No matter the role, I’ll play 1,000 snaps doing whatever it takes to help the team win.”
