Miniature Vikings Problem Has a New Twist
Minnesota Vikings’ organized team activities (OTAs) are winding down, with mandatory minicamp on the way next week.
One little controversy for the Vikings has taken on a new layer, and folk will be monitoring it over the next few weeks.
And among several storylines, like quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the flesh, safety Josh Metellus’ absence or limited participation has turned heads.
But thanks to a video posted by the Vikings this week, the controversy may be all for nil.
Josh Metellus Spotted in OTAs Video
Some have questioned why Metellus hasn’t been more front and center at OTAs this week and last. After all, the man is a team captain and a vocal defensive leader.
Courtesy of the Vikings’ social media team, though, Metellus was, indeed, spotted in Eagan.
A Hold-In, Not a Holdout, or Neither?
It’s unclear what is occurring with Metellus’ contract situation. It is clear, however, that Metellus hasn’t shown a prominent role at OTAs, which might be expected from a team captain.
Metellus wasn’t seen last week in Eagan, leading to theories about a holdout. The video evidence directly contradicts that theory, and if anything, Metellus, in theory, could be “holding in,” a maneuver used by players to show support for their team while still angling for a new contract.
Contract Expiration after 2025
Why is Metellus’ contract a storyline in the first place? Simple — 2025 is the final year of his deal, and he earns $4 million per season.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores uses Metellus all over the damn place in his system, making the $4 million average annual value rather pedestrian by NFL standards.
Metellus should probably be paid closer to $8-10 million annually, and if he weren’t in Eagan at OTAs, he’d have every right to call for an extension. The here and now is the organic time for Metellus and Vikings’ brass to discuss his extension.
Metellus Needed for the Long Haul
What’s more, Minnesota needs Metellus in 2025 and beyond. Metellus’ buddy, safety Camryn Bynum, no longer works for the Vikings, chasing a fat payday in Indianapolis with the Colts. Minnesota, in return, promoted relatively unknown defensive back Theo Jackson to Bynum’s post.
Then, Harrison Smith, a Vikings legend, will probably retire after 2025. Without Metellus, strictly hypothetically, the Vikings’ safety room might have Theo Jackson and Jay Ward next offseason — and then that’s it.
All evidence points to a new deal for Mettelus, with the “when” as the mystery.
Ben Goessling on Mettelus’ Situation
Star Tribune‘s Ben Gosseling chatted about Metellus on a recent podcast: “Yeah, and we don’t know this for sure yet, but it’s easy to connect the dots there and think, Okay, this is a guy in the final year of his contract. There have been conversations about an extension to this point, and I think there’s interest, certainly from both sides.”
“We’ll have to see if they find the common ground of pricing, but I think there’s interest from both sides in continuing that relationship, and that he continues to be an important piece of the defense in Minnesota. But as of now, that contract is not done, and I don’t think there’s really much in terms of guaranteed money for him at this point. So when you do see guys, whether we’ve seen it with Danielle Hunter or T.J. Hockenson, when they’re talking through those contract things, it’s maybe not that they’re holding out, but the hold-in has kind of become the modern approach to this, I guess.”
Metellus turned 27 this offseason.
Goessling added, “And this is still an optional phase of OTA. So you may, you may be saying, ‘I’m going to be here so I can get my workout bonus, but I’m going to mitigate some of what I do so that I’m not putting myself at more risk when I don’t have a guaranteed contract going forward beyond this year. And I want to see something get done.’ So it’s one of those things to keep an eye on.”
“I don’t know for sure that that’s the only reason for it. I mean, it’s possible, I suppose, that he’s coming back from something, but the Occam’s Razor there would suggest that the contract is at least a factor in some of the way he’s going about it, practices that we see at least to this point.”
Metellus’ contract should be finalized before too long, but in the meantime, fans must wonder if he’s “holding in” or fully participating.
Vikings Main Offseason Rumor Has Died
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