Vikings Lock in Their Man for Long Haul
It’s a done deal, and the Minnesota Vikings have no more terribly urgent contract matters.
The Minnesota Vikings made a major move by extending a prominent defender, securing Josh Metellus for the foreseeable future. Here’s what the deal means for the purple team.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah extended Josh Metellus’ contract on Saturday, about an hour before fans watched the club’s first in-person training camp session in Eagan.
Metellus will be connected to the Vikings through the end of 2028.
The Wait Is Over, and Josh Metellus Got His Deal
The Vikings solved their final offseason contract mystery.
Josh Metellus Extended
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted this weekend, “The Vikings have agreed to terms on a new, 3-year contract extension for $36M for standout S Josh Metellus, per me and Tom Pelissero. Another reward for their young playmaker. The deal, including a max value of $42M, also features $25M guaranteed and was done by agent Drew Rosenhaus.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the reporting, “Safety Josh Metellus and the Vikings reached agreement today on a three-year, $36 million contract extension with a max value of $42 million that includes $25 million guaranteed, per agent Drew Rosenhaus.”
Metellus immediately took the podium after the deal surfaced and told the media, “I’m here, baby. I love it here.”
A Sweet Contract for a Deserving Defender
After the Vikings extended head coach Kevin O’Connell, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, running back Aaron Jones, and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr, among others, all eyes turned to Metellus over the last several weeks.
The versatile safety was due for an extension after signing a team-friendly contract two offseasons ago. Minnesota rewarded him accordingly on Saturday, with the new agreement averaging $12 average annual value, with incentives to boot.
Metellus does everything for the purple team on defense — as in, actually everything — meaning it was only a matter of time before Adofo-Mensah got down to brass tacks and finalized the arrangement. That time is now.
Metellus banked a 67.5 Pro Football Focus grade last season, used all over the damn place on defense — even EDGE rusher, at times.
Where the Deal Ranks among NFL Safeties
The new contract for Metellus makes him around the 13th highest-paid safety in all the land pe average annual value, checking in near the likes of Grant Delpit in Cleveland and Jalen Thompson in Arizona.
Earlier this offseason, Metellus’ friend and former Viking, Camryn Bynum, fetched a $60 million deal over four years from the Indianapolis Colts. Bynum will earn $3 million more per season for the Colts.
The league’s richest safety is Kerby Joseph of the Detroit Lions, also known as Public Enemy No. 1, according to Vikings fans, for his dirty, ACL-tearing hit on tight end T.J. Hockenson in December 2023.
Last of the Summer Contract Drama
Besides Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery, J.J. McCarthy’s youthful development, and Jordan Addison’s looming suspension, no other ginormous or dramatic storylines exist in Minnesota’s orbit.
There was always a chance that Metellus’ extension situation lingered, hovering over Eagan while Metellus practiced or didn’t practice. Now that is moot. Metellus is a Viking for the next four seasons, at minimum.
Metellus notably “held in” at OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring, bumping his extension discussion to the forefront. In the end, Metellus handled the ordeal brilliantly. He got his bag.
More on Metellus
Metellus told reporters earlier this week, “Just getting closer to the season. Still gotta build that chemistry with the guys. Lotta new guys in the DB room, like Jefe (Jeff Okudah) and Zay (Isaiah Rodgers) that I need to get reps with. Obviously, with Cam Bynum leaving, the defense looks a little bit different, so it’s just about getting comfortable and doing this thing that I love. I love playing football, so, can’t keep me off the field too long.”
“I’m not too worried about what’s going on on that side. I’m just doing my part, being here for the team, trying to be a leader, a captain, and I can’t do that on the sideline. A big part of it is the guy I am in this building is a guy who’s out in front leading the way, so it makes no sense for me not to do it.”
Metellus turned 27 in January and is a team captain.
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