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Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up maybe their last piece of offseason enterprise Saturday, signing security Josh Metellus to a three-year contract extension that ensures he’ll spend the majority of his profession with the workforce that made him a sixth-round draft selection in 2020.
The deal is price $36 million with a most worth of $42 million, in response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and contains $25 million in ensures. Metellus’ current contract was set to void after this season.
“I am right here, child,” Metellus stated to kick off a information convention previous to the Vikings’ coaching camp follow. “I am right here.”
Metellus was primarily a particular groups participant throughout his first three seasons, however he ascended right into a multipositional position when defensive coordinator Brian Flores joined the Vikings in 2023. Though listed as a security, Metellus performed all around the area. Throughout some video games, coach Kevin O’Connell recalled Saturday, Metellus has lined up at as many as seven totally different positions. Over that interval, Metellus began 27 video games and performed 90% of the Vikings’ defensive snaps.
“His journey is one thing meaning lots to him,” O’Connell stated. “You’ve got bought first-round picks that ultimately get their huge extensions, however some guys do not get to return into this league with that sort of path and so they’ve bought to earn it from the place they’re chosen, and earn it from what their roles are early on of their time, after which ultimately once you get to a spot the place you have developed this type of worth for our workforce, I feel it is actually superior.”
Former Vikings security Camryn Bynum turned down the workforce’s overtures for a preseason extension final summer season and as an alternative signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this spring. Metellus stated he may by no means envision himself leaving, and whereas he sat out some drills throughout OTAs and minicamp, he declined to strain the Vikings additional this summer season.
Metellus participated within the Vikings’ opening follow of coaching camp, saying afterward that he thought it was his accountability as a workforce chief. An ankle harm compelled him out of form Thursday and Friday, however O’Connell stated “we have been being trustworthy” in regards to the prognosis and that Metellus’ absence was not associated to negotiations.
Talking Saturday, Metellus stated there was no a part of him that wished to see if he may get a greater deal subsequent spring on the open market.
“I wished to be right here,” he stated. “I adore it right here. That is dwelling. I wish to end my profession right here. I really feel like I embody precisely what we wish to construct right here and I wish to win a hoop for the town. I perceive the town is due for one thing huge, so I am simply pouring every little thing I’ve into this.”
The Vikings have now dedicated almost $350 million in money to their 2025 roster, capitalizing on the rookie contract of quarterback J.J. McCarthy to amass a dozen veterans both by free company or commerce. Additionally they re-signed working again Aaron Jones Sr., cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and security Harrison Smith, and prolonged the prevailing contract of linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
