One Major Vikings Mystery Has Been Solved
NFL training camp is an exciting time for many fans across the league.
It is often the first opportunity for the public to get a firsthand look at their favorite teams’ new rosters, and training camp is yet another milestone we can cross off our lists before the start of the regular season.
The Minnesota Vikings had their rookies report to camp on Sunday, and then, veterans reported to camp on Tuesday. The Vikings held a few drills on Wednesday together, and with that practice, a major Vikings mystery was solved.
A Major Vikings Mystery Has Been Solved
All offseason, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Minnesota Vikings has been whether or not Josh Metellus. Subsequently, some have wondered if there would be a holdout or hold-in if Metellus did not receive a new contract from the team.
Well, that question seems to have been answered as of Wednesday. According to Judd Zulgad of Skor North, Metellus was present and took part in drills.
“There was no Josh Metellus hold-in on Day 1 of Vikings camp. He took part in all drills. He was used as the starting safety in base opposite Harrison Smith and Theo Jackson replaced him at safety when Metellus moved around,” Zulgad posted on X.
Metellus has been a key part of Minnesota’s defense over the past couple years, namely due to his versatility. On one snap, he could be lined up in the secondary as a traditional safety, and on the next, he could be lining up to the big boys in the trenches as a de facto defensive tackle.
Now, though, the Vikings may need Metellus more than ever. Camryn Bynum left the team in free agency, signing a four-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts instead of staying in Minnesota. That left a void at safety, meaning Metellus may need to play a bit more of a traditional role this season to fill the hole.
Of course, Minnesota also has Theo Jackson around, who has taken a similar journey as Metellus to get to this point in his NFL career. Jackson, 26, was a sixth-round pick in 2022 by the Tennessee Titans (Metellus was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 draft by the Vikings).
Jackson was then waived by Tennessee and picked up by Minnesota, who has since been a special teams ace. Metellus also got his career started as a special teamer, playing 200+ special teams snaps in four of his first five seasons.
Even if the Vikings don’t need Metellus to change roles, he will be a very vital piece in bringing Jackson into the defense to ensure he knows his role up, down, backwards, and forwards.
And it seems like the safety is committed to making that happen. Take a look at this quote from Metellus, written into a training camp notes article by Will Ragatz of SI:
“I’m not too worried about what’s going on on that side,” Metellus said. “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 has always been a leader in Minnesota’s locker room, and even as he heads into a contract year in 2025, it seems he is putting the players around him first. If that’s not grounds to immediately give him a contract extension, I don’t know what is.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
You must be logged in to post a comment.