After the Vikings agreed to an extension with tight end Josh Oliver earlier today, it would appear that safety Josh Metellus is next in line for a long-term pact. The impending free agent eschewed a minicamp hold-in as he awaits a resolution on his contract, although he’s been sitting out the faster-pace seven-on-seven drills, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
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Metellus all but said that he hopes to stick in Minnesota for the long haul, and he acknowledged that his camp has discussed a new contract with the Vikings front office. The defensive captain was also quick to disregard his limited workload during OTAs and minicamp.
“That’s part of the process right now,” Metellus said (via Seifert). “I mean, the coaches in front office, everybody understand, you know, situation I’m here. I’m building that chemistry my new teammates and the old teammates, and I’m here being the same guy I am all the time. So you guys know me. It ain’t nothing change.”
It’s still a promising development that the two sides have apparently engaged in extension talks. We heard back in February that the front office could consider an extension for the veteran safety, but we haven’t heard anything definitive until now.
A former sixth-round pick, Metellus has evolved into one of the Vikings’ most dependable defenders. He had a breakout campaign when he started 17 games in 2023, and while he had a bit less responsibility in 2024, he still put up big numbers. The 27-year-old finished the campaign with 103 tackles, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. The Michigan product surely wouldn’t warrant a contract that sniffs the top of the positional market, but the two sides could find common ground when it comes to contract term.
With Camryn Bynum no longer in the picture, the Vikings aren’t as deep at safety as they once were. Harrison Smith will continue to lead the unit, but Metellus’ “limited” status would mean more reps for the likes of Jay Ward and Theo Jackson.