Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus got rewarded with a four-year, $36 million contract extension during training camp. It is his second time re-upping with the organization, and the veteran knows exactly where his value lies.
A sixth-round pick in the 202 draft, Metellus has started 27 of his 34 appearances over the last two seasons.
He has logged a lot of snaps playing a variety of roles.
“If you don’t think I’m the most versatile defender in the league then you don’t watch the Vikings enough,” Metellus said in a post on X on July 29, just one day after he agreed to a long-term deal with the club.
Metellus, 26, recorded over 100 total tackles and set a new career high with 2 interceptions for the Vikings during the 2024.
Josh Metellus Touts Versatility in Vikings’ Defense
GettyJosh Metellus #44 of the Minnesota Vikings runs back a turnover against the San Francisco 49ers.
Metellus was really just doubling down on his claims made during an interview with The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov.
Asked if he was the “most versatile” player in the league, Metellus said, “Easily.”
“I’m not trying to be overconfident or anything, but the track record is the track record, Metellus told Meirov on “NFL Spotlight” on July 29. “Two years ago, I played the most snaps in the league. If you add it up, defense and special teams, and last year I played almost 1,200 snaps. So, I still play almost 50% of the special team snaps. I play every snap on defense in different spots.
“If you could show me another guy who’s doing what I’m doing, I would love to see it. I know a lot of guys switch from safety to nickel, maybe nickel to dime. But I haven’t seen a guy go from first down at linebacker, second down to nickel, third down to safety, and if it’s a fourth down, I’ll probably be in the A gap. So, I’ve never seen a guy do that.”
A team captain for the Vikings in 2024, Metellus acknowledged the presence of franchise stalwart Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, now of the Indianapolis Colts, keeping him from his natural safety spot.
Bynum and Smith’s presence did not hinder Metellus in the Vikings’ defense. Instead, it helped unlock his utility.
Josh Metellus Eyeing Big Year in 2025
GettyJosh Metellus could be the next Minnesota Vikings player to receive a new contract.
Metellus is a weapon in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme, but moving around as much as he does requires extensive film study about a wide variety of players and playing styles.
“Even just trying to watch tape to find guys like me, I have to like pull pieces from Derwin [James] and Budda [Baker] and Julian Love. Different – Kyle Hamilton – just different – Brian Branch – different guys. Because we’re all so different, but I feel like I can do a lot of different things as well. So, it’s just, if you want to call it versatile, you want to call it just a good football player. That’s why I tell people, I say I’m just a good football player,” Metellus said.
“You might not think I’m the best linebacker, safety, nickel in the world. But I’m probably one of the best football players in the world, and it shows in my track record, man. I get on the field and, I don’t know, I just find a way to help the team win, man. I find a way to make plays, I find a way to get to the ball, find a way to do my job. Whatever is necessary to get through that down, I’ll find a way to do it.”
Metellus also expects to be even better in 2025.
“I think this year is a real big year for me as well … just being able to stay consistent in this league and to show more,” Metellus told Meirov. “Two years at multiple spots, I finally got comfortable at every single spot. So whatever spot I’m at this year, I think I’ll be able to excel a lot better than I did the past two years.”
Metellus and the Vikings were the fifth-best scoring unit in the NFL in 2024. Marked improvement from Metellus could mean even greater heights for the group.
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