Josh Metellus walked to the podium on Saturday afternoon at TCO Performance Center and took a deep breath as he reflected on his journey to get to this point.
After agreeing to a contract extension with Vikings that will keep him in Minnesota through his prime, Metellus found himself thinking back to where it all started.
“A young kid from North Miami Beach,” Metellus said. “I’m standing here showing that hard work does pay off. It’s special. I’m extremely grateful.”
It’s reportedly a three-year, $36 million contract extension for Metellus that could be worth up to $42 million with incentives. Those numbers were agreed upon after negotiations between general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and power agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Though it was far from a guarantee that a deal would get done, Metellus was comfortable knowing he had done everything he could to make his case.
“I was confident in the work that I put in,” Metellus said. “I knew at some point it was going to pay off, whether that was now or whether that was later.”
Asked if there was ever a thought of testing the market, Metellus immediately shook his head no.
“I wanted to be here,” Metellus said. “I love it here. This is home. I want to finish my career here.”
The fact that Metellus is sticking around for the foreseeable future is important for the Vikings given everything he does on defense.
His versatility has made him the ultimate chess piece for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. It’s not uncommon to see Metellus lineup at safety, cornerback and linebacker, often in the same series.
“He’s such a vital part of our success on and off the field,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s hard to imagine them making them any better as a player and person than Josh.”
Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft, Metellus was initially cut by the Vikings before being signed to the practice squad. He slowly made a name for himself, carving out a niche as a special teams ace, then parlaying that into a role on defense that has continued to increase.
“He embodies the relentlessness and work ethic that we value,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s a story of undeniable determination.”
That character trait served as a compass for Metellus. Even when his confidence admittedly started to waver in the early stages of his career, he never succumbed to the doubts that were constantly creeping into his mind.
“You manifest it, and it’s going to come to life,” Metellus said. “My will was greater that anything around me, and that’s why I’m standing here.”
The next step for Metellus is rather simple.
“I want to win a ring for this city,” Metellus said. “I’m pouring everything I have into this.”
Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) answers questions during an NFL football press conference Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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