EAGAN, Minn. — OK, it's not the deal most Vikings fans are desperate to see get done, but the club on Thursday announced an extension with an important piece of its roster puzzle.
Safety and special teams mainstay Josh Metellus agreed to tack a couple more years onto his contract. The team did not release terms, but ESPN insider Adam Schefter says the deal is for two additional years worth a possible $13 million, with $6 million of that money guaranteed. Mettelus's agent Drew Rosenhaus later confirmed those numbers for the Associated Press.
Metellus is a fourth-year defensive back who the Vikings selected in the 6th round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has played in 48 games, totaling 64 tackles, six passes defended and one interception.
As important, he has led the Vikings in special teams tackles during two of the last three seasons, and has been named a team captain in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
“He loves the game and he could sit up there and run a meeting as a coach right now," Vikings All-Pro safety Harrison Smith said about Metellus. "He’s got it that well. I learn a lot from him. He knows more, a lot of times, than I do so I’m trying to learn stuff from him too.”
Metellus is currently listed on the Viking's depth chart as Smith's backup, but new defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been utilizing him in additional roles during training camp, meaning he will likely see more reps during the regular season.
The elephant in the room - albeit a speedy and elusive one - remains the contract status of wideout Justin Jefferson. JJ is eligible for free agency in 2025 and the Vikings are desperate to sign him to an extension, but it won't come cheap. His current contract pays Jefferson just under $3.3 million a year under his rookie deal, and league observers expect a new long-term agreement will have to exceed the contract value of the current highest-paid wide receiver, Miami's Tyreek Hill, who pulls down an average of $30 million each year.
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