Entering the 2025 season, there are some Minnesota Vikings players are looking to make a splash to set themselves up with stellar futures.
Players like wide receiver Jalen Nailor could be playing for a big contract with another team next offseason. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy must prove to the doubters that he can be a starter in the NFL.
Some will be playing for a contract extension with the team, or want to prove that they can be a star in the NFL. Vikings safety Josh Metellus could be one who is playing for a little of both.
How Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus is playing for more than a big payday
Bleacher Report writer Gary Davenport shared his list of eight NFL players who have the most on the line with minicamps kicking off. Metellus made the list, but Davenport wrote that he is more concerned with proving he's the next star safety in the NFL than landing a large contract extension.
"Unlike many of the players in this piece, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus doesn’t have to show that he can play. Or that he can still play. Or play for his supper—while the 27-year-old is entering a contract year, quite a few pundits believe that Metellus will be extended over the summer.
No, what Metellus has on the line is ascending to stardom. To becoming one of the best players in the game at his position.
Per Alec Lewis of the Athletic, Metellus was one of just two players in the league to play 10 percent of his team’s snaps on the line of scrimmage, as a slot corner, at safety and at linebacker.
Not only is Metellus versatile, but Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones told reporters that the sixth-year veteran is like a coach on the field.
'When he’s out there, he’s thinking like a coach,” Jones said. “We joke all the time. We always say, ‘Josh, when you’re coaching in a few years.’ Whether he admits it or not, but when his time is done, he’s going to be one of these other guys that you’ve seen who have played in the league a while that’s now a coordinator in this league. He has that potential.'
Back in 2020, Metellus was the 205th pick in the NFL draft. Now, he’ll likely soon be among the highest-paid safeties in the league. There’s really only one thing left on the 'to do list.'
Posting a third straight 100-tackle season, showing that he’s worth all that cheese. Making his first Pro Bowl.
And showing that he’s a legitimate star."
Metellus has been a starter on the defense over the last two seasons. In that span, he has racked up 219 tackles, 10 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
He received a grade of 67.6 from Pro Football Focus, 57th of 171 safeties in the NFL. The strength of his game is coming off blitzes and stopping the run, as he led all safeties in total pressures with 18. Metellus received high grades from PFF in pass rush (71, ranked 17th) and run defense (84.3, ranked tenth)
There have been talks about giving Metellus a contract extension before the season begins. The extension range could be a three-year, $20 million fully guaranteed deal.
Going into the 2025 season, Metellus is expected to start alongside Harrison Smith at safety. The Vikings hope that Metellus can be the leader in the secondary and take over for Smith when he retires.
There's still time for Metellus to get an extension, but it's more about him being the next great Vikings defender in franchise history. The verdict is out on that with positive signs being shown in the last two seasons.