Latest news with #JoshMetellus
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Josh Metellus makes bold claim, calls himself the most ‘versatile defender' in the NFL
No one doubts that Vikings defender Josh Metellus is an underrated player. Fresh off a 3-year, $36 million extension, Josh Metellus is versatile enough to line up at S, CB, LB, and even on the D-line. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, Metellus recently made a claim about his prowess which raised some eyebrows. Metellus appeared on 'NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov' show on Tuesday, when he was asked about his own skills he gave a surprising answer. To be fair, Josh Metellus was specifically asked if he thought he is the most versatile defender in the NFL and he agreed. Did Josh Metellus call himself the most versatile defender in the NFL? 'Easily,' said Metellus. 'I'm not trying to be overconfident, but the track record is the track record… I haven't seen a guy go from first down at linebacker, second down at nickel, third down at safety, and if there's a fourth down, in the A-gap." It's important to understand Metellus' position in the team. Ever since the Vikings brought defensive coordinator Brian Flores in the team in 2023, Metellus' role has expanded and has become more vital. Metellus was voted to be a captain for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Josh Metellus signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $42 million with Vikings, with $25 million guaranteed. The Vikings had cut Metellus after drafting him in the sixth round in 2020 but interestingly he was able to earn back his position through the practice squad
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings S Josh Metellus says he's 'easily' the most versatile defender in the NFL
After signing a three-year, $36 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Josh Metellus made it known that he believes he is the most versatile defender in the NFL. The sixth-year safety appeared on 'NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov' on Tuesday, and was asked about his versatility as a defender. 'When you play different spots, you don't really get comfortable at a spot, but two years at multiple spots, I finally got comfortable at every single spot,' Metellus said. 'Whatever spot I'm at this year, I think I'll be able to excel a lot better than the past two years.' Ever since the Vikings brought defensive coordinator Brian Flores into the building back in 2023, Metellus' role has consistently grown. Flores' first year in Minnesota saw Metellus jump from 258 defensive snaps (22.22 percent) in 2022, to 1,065 (94.16 percent) in 2023. With his role expanding and becoming more familiar with the defense, Metellus was voted to be a captain by his teammates for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The former sixth-round pick uses his size and athleticism to help Minnesota out in many different facets throughout each game. Listed as a safety, the 5-foot-11, 207-pound defender lines up all over the field, with the ability to cover wide receivers, running backs and tight ends while holding his own in the trenches against the run and in pass rushing situations. Along with his success on the defensive side of the ball, Metellus still has a large impact on special teams, playing above 44 percent of the Vikings' snaps in that facet ever since his rookie season in 2020. Flores is one of the brightest and most creative defensive minds in the NFL, and with Metellus willing and able to affect the game in many different ways, the duo has consistently kept offenses guessing over the past two years.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Michigan S Josh Metellus signs $36M extension with Vikings, cementing NFL success
At the time of his commitment, safety Josh Metellus was considered by many to be a take due to Michigan football coveting his high school teammate, linebacker Devin Bush. Yet, the former Miami (Fla.) Charles Flanagan three-star didn't just come along in his own right, he continues to ascend -- well beyond his years in Ann Arbor. It was surprising when Metellus earned a starting role at the end of his freshman year, playing in the Orange Bowl in place of Jabrill Peppers at VIPER. But he followed that up by earning a starting role at safety, and by the time he left college following the 2019 season, he was a sixth-round NFL draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, he's ascended from practice squad to special teams to reserve to team captain to veritable NFL star. And he's getting paid as a result. Multiple reports came to light on Saturday indicating that Metellus and the Vikings have agreed to a three-year, $36 million extension that could be worth up to $42 million. This will be Metellus' sixth year in the league, and he's proven to have staying power that most of his 2016 class teammates haven't had at the next level. This is a significant raise for the former Wolverine, as his last extension was worth just $8 million.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Vikings S Josh Metellus agrees to multi-year extension
July 26 - Minnesota Vikings versatile safety Josh Metellus agreed to terms on a multi-year extension, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Saturday. While the Vikings did not divulge terms of the deal, multiple media outlets reported it was a three-year, $36 million extension. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said the contract has a maximum value of $42 million that includes $25 million guaranteed. Metellus, 27, was slated to earn $3.675 million in 2025 before the start of the extension. "I think, last year at one point, I counted in one game he lined up in seven different spots," O'Connell said about Metellus. "I think his role is wildly dynamic." Metellus recorded 103 tackles and a career-high two interceptions in 17 games (10 starts) last season. He has totaled 283 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions in 82 career games (30 starts) since being selected by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings, versatile safety Josh Metellus agree to 3-year, $36M extension, AP source says
The Minnesota Vikings and versatile safety Josh Metellus agreed Saturday on a three-year, $36 million contract extension, according to a person familiar with details of the deal. Metellus, a 2020 sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan, is a key piece of coordinator Brian Flores' defense and has started 27 games the past two seasons while playing in multiple spots. The Vikings announced the extension for Metellus, but didn't provide financial terms. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms weren't announced, said the contract includes $25 million in guaranteed money. Metellus was entering the final year of his deal, so the extension keeps him with the Vikings through 2028. 'Minnesota, I'm here, baby,' a smiling Metellus said at a news conference announcing the deal. 'I love it here. ... This place is home for me.' The 27-year-old Metellus has four career interceptions, five forced fumbles, 2 1/2 sacks and nearly 300 combined tackles in five NFL seasons. "Josh, since he got here has become a program player for us," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. 'He embodies the relentlessness and work ethic that we value in this team.' Metellus played primarily on special teams during his first two seasons, but saw an increased role on defense after Kevin O'Connell took over as the Vikings' head coach in 2022. Flores made Metellus a key contributor on defense when he joined O'Connell's staff in 2023, with O'Connell saying Metellus lined up in seven different spots last season. 'I don't like to get into the positions,' Metellus said. 'I just think I'm a damn good football player.' Metellus has also been a team captain for the Vikings. 'Such a vital part of our success on and off the field,' O'Connell said. 'It's hard to imagine them making them any better as a player and person than Josh Metellus. What he means to me, personally, our friendship, our bond we've formed, I'm absolutely thrilled for Josh, his family and Vikings fans that they get to see him for years to come in a role that's become really special to him and how he's attacked it and helped us become what we are defensively.' ___ AP NFL:
