Josh Metellus Cautions Vikings Fans about the Enemy
Dustin Baker
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If you’re cheering for the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Playoffs or perceive them as the little engine that could, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus needs you to stop.
That’s the word from the Vikings defender this week, as the Lions travel to San Francisco for a date with the 49ers in the NFC Championship on Sunday.
Josh Metellus Cautions Vikings Fans about the Enemy
For over a year, NFL fans and media have cozied up to the Lions, hoping the historically bad franchise could make a run in 2023. Alas, it has and is just one game from the Super Bowl. With some road heroism, Detroit could meet the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl LVIII.
Well, Metellus has seen enough. He has no patience for the Lions love and instead asked Vikings fans to treat them like the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears. Earlier this week, an X app user, @JRho_11, tweeted, “STOP ROOTING FOR DIVISION RIVALS!!!”
Metellus retweeted the post in agreement and opined, “I didn’t know people did this smh. We need competition junkies not comfort seekers! Skol is all I know 💜.”
One fan told Metellus on X app that Lions fans deserve this playoff run, and the Vikings veteran replied, “Exactly, so let them root and cheer while we get the clip reloaded for next year.”
He then likened the Lions rivalry to the Packers, “I don’t see the difference in Green Bay or Detroit. They both played longer than us so it should piss you off 😂 that’s how my brain works.”
A former 6th-Round draft pick, Metellus emerged into a bonafide starter this season, logging 116 total tackles, 10 QB hits, 7 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and a 70.1 Pro Football Focus grade. The 26-year-old is also a Pro Bowl alternate and could be formally named to that squad when safeties decline the invitation because of Super Bowl invitation or injury.
ESPN even called Metellus the Vikings’ “unsung hero” in 2023 earlier this week. Kevin Patra explained, “Credit defensive coordinator Brian Flores for unlocking Metellus’ havoc-creating ability. The former sixth-round pick out of Michigan played sparingly his first three seasons but became a versatile weapon under Flores. Metellus lined up all over the formation, from safety to outside linebacker, inside linebacker, slot corner, wide corner and defensive lineman. Heck, PFF even charted Metellus as having one snap lined up as a defensive tackle.”
The Lions are seven-point underdogs entering Levi’s Stadium, which probably doesn’t hurt their underdog tale. On social media, Vikings fans are split on wishing Detroit the best: Some want them to fail miserably — the usual sentiment aimed at Green Bay or Chicago — while others haven’t developed a hatred for Dan Campbell’s team. Minnesota has an 80-43-2 (.648) all-time record versus Detroit.
But utter dominance or not, Metellus advises against becoming a Lions fan on Sunday.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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