Vikings takeaway No. 4
One particular player is having a breakout year.
Edge rusher Danielle Hunter is having a great season and several other Minnesota Vikings defenders are flourishing under the direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. However, one player in particular is making a name for himself.
This offseason, the Vikings signed safety Josh Metellus to a 2-year deal worth $8 million that baffled a lot of fans and experts. Known primarily as a special teams player who also played situational defense, Minnesota had a different plan for Metellus this season.
Metellus has been used in just about every way imaginable in the Vikings' defense. Not only that, but he's still playing on special teams. He tied with Jordan Hicks for the most tackles by a Minnesota player on Sunday and added the second most quarterback hits and had a tackle for loss.
What Flores has been able to unlock in Metellus is impressive. When you combine his play with the good play of Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith, it's less surprising that 2022 first-round draft pick Lewis Cine was in active yet again.