Josh Metellus

Vikings, S Josh Metellus Agree To Extension

Vikings safety Josh Metellus was heading into the 2025 NFL season on a contract year with a $6.54MM cap hit. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team has secured the defender long term by signing him to a three-year, $36MM extension.

Adding onto the end of his current deal, the extension keeps Metellus under contract through the 2028 season. Per Schefter, Metellus’ new deal comes with $25MM in guaranteed money and has a potential maximum value of $42MM with contract incentives.

Coming out of Minnesota’s 15-man 2020 draft class, Metellus is one of three players drafted by the team that year to still be on the roster — the other two being Justin Jefferson and backup offensive lineman Blake Brandel.

For much of his first two seasons, Metellus was a special teamer, coming off the bench for significant snaps for the first time in the final game of his sophomore campaign. He played a similar role in 2022, but three Harrison Smith absences allowed Metellus to showcase what he could contribute as a starter. He looked good in his first glimpses with the first team, catching an interception in the first start of his career.

Already, in 2022, the Vikings were beginning to see the potential and versatility Metullus offered to the defense. Most of his snaps came at safety, but he spent about 40 percent of his time on the field roaming into the box or the slot or, occasionally, lining up as an edge rusher or outside cornerback. In 2023, Minnesota made a call that it could no longer allow starters Smith and Camryn Bynum to keep Metellus off the field.

All three safeties started 17 games that season and led the team in defensive snaps played. Bynum worked most often as the deep safety, Smith split his time between the defensive outfield and the box, and Metellus roamed the slot, the box, and the edge in near equal quantities. In fact, aside from outside cornerback, where he logged 29 snaps, Metellus’ least seen position was safety (55 snaps). Playing all over the field in the first year of a two-year, $8MM extension and his first year as a full-time starter, Metellus delivered all over the field. His 116 total tackles were second to only Bynum, and he added 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, an interception returned for 43 yards, five passes defensed, and four forced fumbles to boot.

In 2024, Metellus logged fewer starts, but his usage remained the same as he continued to share the field with Smith and Bynum in equal shares. The 2024 season saw Metellus diversify a little less, spending under 100 snaps at edge, outside corner, and safety, but he spent about half his snaps in the box and a quarter in the slot. Once again, he finished second on the team with 103 total tackles, and he logged two tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two interceptions, five passes defensed, and one forced fumble for good measure.

In 2025, the Vikings will be without their deep safety after Bynum signed a four-year, $60MM deal with the Colts. The backups behind Metellus and Smith — Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and Mishael Powell — are all young and inexperienced, so Metellus may be making a move back into a more traditional safety spot. Smith will likely take back a free safety role, after playing a bit more strong safety when Bynum was in the picture, while Metellus works as the primary strong safety, allowing him to drift up into the box or slot when necessary.

The idea of an extension for Metellus and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was first floating around the rumor mill in the days after the Super Bowl. Van Ginkel got his done in May, and after the team addressed an extension for tight end Josh Oliver in June, Metellus became the next focus.

Metellus had missed the first two days of practice in training camp, and while that now looks like he was pushing for an extension, head coach Kevin O’Connell assured the media that they “were being honest” about an ankle injury being the reason for his absences, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Regardless, a little payday should make him feel better. He’s expected to sit out Saturday practices and return to the field on Monday under his new contract. He’s already outperformed his sixth-round draft slot and his $8MM extension; now, the Vikings will be hoping he can take another step and outperform this one, as well.

Vikings, Josh Metellus Discussing Extension

JUNE 20: While a mutual interest exists for an extension agreement in this case, no timeline is in place. Alec Lewis of The Athletic notes it is unclear at this point whether or not Metellus will have a new deal in hand by the start of training camp (subscription required). The Vikings have been busy on a number of other fronts so far this offseason regarding extensions, and it will be interesting to see if this winds up being the next pact taken care of.

JUNE 10: After the Vikings agreed to an extension with tight end Josh Oliver earlier today, it would appear that safety Josh Metellus is next in line for a long-term pact. The impending free agent eschewed a minicamp hold-in as he awaits a resolution on his contract, although he’s been sitting out the faster-pace seven-on-seven drills, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.

[RELATED: Vikings, TE Josh Oliver Agree To Extension]

Metellus all but said that he hopes to stick in Minnesota for the long haul, and he acknowledged that his camp has discussed a new contract with the Vikings front office. The defensive captain was also quick to disregard his limited workload during OTAs and minicamp.

“That’s part of the process right now,” Metellus said (via Seifert). “I mean, the coaches in front office, everybody understand, you know, situation I’m here. I’m building that chemistry my new teammates and the old teammates, and I’m here being the same guy I am all the time. So you guys know me. It ain’t nothing change.”

It’s still a promising development that the two sides have apparently engaged in extension talks. We heard back in February that the front office could consider an extension for the veteran safety, but we haven’t heard anything definitive until now.

A former sixth-round pick, Metellus has evolved into one of the Vikings’ most dependable defenders. He had a breakout campaign when he started 17 games in 2023, and while he had a bit less responsibility in 2024, he still put up big numbers. The 27-year-old finished the campaign with 103 tackles, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. The Michigan product surely wouldn’t warrant a contract that sniffs the top of the positional market, but the two sides could find common ground when it comes to contract term.

With Camryn Bynum no longer in the picture, the Vikings aren’t as deep at safety as they once were. Harrison Smith will continue to lead the unit, but Metellus’ “limited” status would mean more reps for the likes of Jay Ward and Theo Jackson.

Vikings Could Extend Andrew Van Ginkel, Josh Metellus

It remains to be seen how the Vikings will proceed at the quarterback spot this offseason. While the team weighs its options on the Sam Darnold front, other positions could receive financial attention.

Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Josh Metellus are both on the books for 2025, but their respective performances this past season could put them in line for new deals. Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune names both players as logical extension candidates. Working out new pacts would prevent potential free agent departures next spring in each case.

Van Ginkel spent the first five years of his career with the Dolphins, seeing a varying degree of playing time in Miami. He departed on the open market last spring, inking a two-year, $20MM pact. The Rams and Eagles both showed interest, but by signing with Minnesota the 29-year-old took on a large role in his new team’s post-Danielle Hunter plans. Along with fellow signee Jonathan GreenardVan Ginkel thrived in a starting role.

The latter set a new career high with 11.5 sacks while adding a forced fumble and two pick-sixes. Van Ginkel’s production yielded a Pro Bowl invitation and a second-team All-Pro nod, honors which could help his case at the negotiating table if he and the Vikings discuss a new deal. As things stand, the former fifth-rounder is set to carry a $12.4MM cap hit next season.

A new pact could lower that figure, something which is of course also the case for Metellus (who is set to count $7.38 against the cap in 2025). The 27-year-old played primarily on special teams during his first three years with the team, but he became a full-time starter in 2023. An extension had been worked out by early September of that year, and Metellus proved that investment to be worthwhile by notching 116 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

After restructuring his deal this past summer, the former sixth-rounder was again a key safety contributor in 2024. Metellus reached triple-digit tackles for the second straight campaign, adding a pair of interceptions. He will be counted on as an important secondary figure in 2025, but that will especially be the case if Harrison Smith retires.

The Vikings are near the top of the list in terms of projected cap space as free agency approaches, and a notable addition or two could be feasible as a result. With respect to in-house priorities, though, it will be interesting to see if at least one of Van Ginkel or Metellus receive an extension.

NFL Restructures: Thomas, Holcomb, Vikes

Andrew Thomas landed a lucrative investment from the Giants last summer, and his extension has him on the books through 2029. A recent adjustment made to the pact freed up short-term spending power.

New York converted $4.18MM in 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, ESPN’s Field Yates notes. That move created $3.34MM in cap space available to be used during the final roster-building moves of the offseason or breathing space for during the year. The Giants were already in better cap shape than many teams, however, and the move leaves them with nearly $17MM in available funds – more than what will be needed for any one-year, low-cost deals given to free agents in the coming days.

As Dan Duggan of The Athletic notes, New York had the option of converting another $10MM into a signing bonus (and thus freeing up even more room). Teams often carve out the maximum breathing room possible when executing restructures, although such moves are generally made around free agency. Thomas’ cap number is set to jump to $19.92MM next year, but that figure will remain relatively flat throughout the rest of the pact.

Here are details on some other recent NFL restructures:

  • The Steelers reworked the contract of linebacker Cole Holcomb earlier this month. Pittsburgh added $3.1MM in guaranteed compensation, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The contract includes a split, a provision which allows teams to lower the base pay of players if they land on IR or PUP. Holcomb, 28, went down with a knee injury midway through his debut Steelers campaign and is in danger of missing considerable time again in 2024. This move provides him with added locked in compensation should he manage to remain healthy this season, though. Holcomb’s original Pittsburgh pact, signed last spring, runs through 2025.
  • Josh Metellus has negotiated adjustments to his Vikings pact, as detailed by Wilson. Three void years (2026-28) were added to the contract, along with incentives totaling $5MM over the next two years – although $3.5MM of that figure has been deemed not likely to be earned. None of the 26-year-old’s overall pay (ranging from $1.23MM to $3.78MM) or cap figures ($2.01MM to $4.76MM) have changed as a result of this arrangement, though. As a result, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune predicts further restructuring could take place in the future.

Vikings, S Josh Metellus Agree On Extension

The Vikings have another deal in place. After reaching an agreement with Danielle Hunter to start training camp and then bringing T.J. Hockenson back into the fold with a big-ticket contract, Minnesota will keep one of its top special-teamers around beyond 2023.

Josh Metellus agreed to terms on a two-year extension worth up to $13MM, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. The contract will guarantee the fourth-year safety $6MM. A 2020 sixth-round pick, Metellus was going into a contract year.

[RELATED: Vikings Eyeing 2023 Justin Jefferson Extension]

This offseason involved Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shedding a few contracts. Rick Spielman-era investments Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook are out of the picture, while one of Adofo-Mensah’s early pickups — Za’Darius Smith — became a one-and-done. The Vikings also moved on from cornerbacks Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler and Chandon Sullivan. They will field a much younger secondary this season, and Metellus is expected to play a bigger role.

The three starts Metellus made last year marked his first as a pro, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes DC Brian Flores is expected to use Metellus alongside starters Harrison Smith and Lewis Cine in three-safety looks. Metellus received an opportunity in the slot this summer, though UFA addition Byron Murphy is on track to reprise his Cardinals role by moving inside in sub packages.

Metellus’ 929 special teams snaps are the third-most among Vikings since 2020. He was on the field for 258 defensive plays last season, marking a substantial increase from his first two years. The Michigan product made 42 tackles and deflected five passes.

Vikings Using Josh Metellus As Nickel CB

After finishing as the second-worst team in the league in 2022 in terms of total defense and passing defense, it came as no surprise that the Vikings parted ways with a few of the cornerbacks who played major roles in last year’s secondary. Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, and Cameron Dantzler all found themselves on other clubs this offseason, while Minnesota added Byron Murphy in free agency and will look for some of its recent draft selections to prove their worth under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Players like Andrew Booth (second round, 2022), Akayleb Evans (fourth round, 2022), Mekhi Blackmon (third round, 2023), and Jay Ward (fourth round, 2023) are all in line for significant CB snaps this season (while Ward was drafted as a safety, he lined up at every position in the defensive backfield during his collegiate career at LSU). Plus, as Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com writes, Josh Metellus could see significant action in the slot, as the coaching staff gave him plenty of reps in that role during spring work and made a concerted effort to keep him on the field.

Metellus, a 2020 sixth-round choice, was used primarily on special teams in his first two years in the NFL. Last season, he saw the most extensive action of his pro career, earning three starts and a 22% defensive snap share. His time on defense, though, was spent mostly as a replacement for stalwart safety Harrison Smith, so the fact that Flores wants to see what Metellus can do as a nickel corner is notable.

Although Murphy is perfectly capable of playing in the slot and should be expected to line up there frequently in 2023, it could be that Flores wants his most experienced corner to spend the bulk of his time outside the numbers. That, along with the fact that Smith and Camryn Bynum will reprise their roles as starting safeties, could explain why Metellus is getting a long look at nickel.

According to Seifert, Metellus appeared comfortable in that spot, and assuming he carries that momentum into training camp, he will be ticketed for the most playing time of his career this season. With 2023 serving as his platform year, the timing is perfect for the Michigan product to maximize his earning power, particularly since slot corners are effectively starting players in today’s pass-heavy league (even if the market has been slow to recognize that).

In his time on defense last season, Metellus allowed a 68.4% completion percentage but generally kept the ball in front of him, as he yielded a modest 83.9 QB rating on the 19 balls thrown in his direction. He also recorded five passes defensed and the first interception of his career, which represents quality ball production in such a small sample.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/21

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/21

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/18/20

Here are Friday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Minnesota Vikings

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vikings Sign K Chase McLaughlin To Practice Squad

The Vikings signed kicker Chase McLaughlin, kicker Chase McLaughlin, linebacker Hardy Nickerson, and defensive tackle Albert Huggins to the practice squad on Tuesday. With that, the Vikes have filled out their 16-man unit:

McLaughlin bounced around last year, appearing in games for the Colts, Chargers, and 49ers. He started off the 2019 season with the Vikings’ practice squad, and they’re bringing him back in 2020 to serve as extra insurance for Dan Bailey. Earlier this summer, he lost out on the Colts’ kicking job when Chris Ballard & Co. chose rookie Rodrigo Blankenship.