The Minnesota Vikings enter another season with plenty riding on their defense, and Josh Metellus believes the group can finish with the NFL’s best run defense. Brian Flores has built a unit that can pressure quarterbacks, disguise coverages and make gamedays a challenge for offenses.
Minnesota's front seven helps support his case. Andrew Van Ginkel, Eric Wilson, Dallas Turner and Blake Cashman headline a deep group, and the interior has enough size and experience to keep blockers from climbing freely to the second level.
Metellus, 28, has seen Flores use him everywhere from deep safety to the box and the line of scrimmage. Getting that full-picture look at Flores’ defense every week helps explain why his take on the “Bent Outta Shape” podcast went beyond the usual camp hype.
Josh Metellus expects the Minnesota Vikings defense to lead
In 2025, Minnesota finished third in total defense but ranked 21st against the run, allowing 124.1 yards per game. The 7-year veteran expects a different outcome this season.
“Starting up front, this front seven, I think it's probably the best that we had,” Metellus told former Vikings Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. He took it one step further by boldly predicting that Minnesota will “probably be the best run defense in the National Football League.”
Flores would happily take that kind of production. A defense that consistently wins first down can unleash Van Ginkel and Turner in obvious passing situations, while Metellus gets more freedom to disguise whether he's blitzing, covering a tight end or dropping into a deeper zone.
Metellus has earned bragging rights after compiling 369 tackles, three sacks, six interceptions, 22 passes defended, five forced fumbles and three recoveries in 96 career games. His career highs include 116 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2023, two interceptions in both 2024 and 2025, and six passes defended in 2025.
“I think the defense is going to need to step up a lot and lead the way for this team and this offense, especially after last year,” Metellus said, adding that the tone must hold “from play one to play 100.”
Metellus didn't predict an offensive scoring shortage. After an uneven 2025, he's asking the defense to control games early, keep a developing offense from chasing points and give Kevin O'Connell more manageable possessions.
Metellus also knows opponents will test that threat immediately. If an opponent opens the game with three straight handoffs, No. 44 will get an early glimpse of just how good this run defense can be.
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