General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings checked a key item off their preseason to-do list on Saturday.
Veteran safety Josh Metellus agreed to a lucrative three-year contract extension, locking him in as a core piece of Brian Flores’ defense through the 2028 season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $36 million, with a maximum value of $42 million and $25 million guaranteed. The deal puts Metellus in the range of the NFL's top-12 highest-paid safeties in terms of average annual value.
Metellus, 26, was entering the final year of his contract and seeking long-term security after back-to-back 1,000-snap, 100-tackle seasons. The team captain has been present throughout the first week of Vikings training camp, showing faith that his deal would get done.
“The city of Minnesota, I’m here, baby. I love it here," Metellus told reporters after the extension was announced. "This place is home for me… and I’m just extremely grateful."
Head coach Kevin O’Connell called Metellus “everything we want in a leader and a competitor."
“Josh has been one of our tone-setters," he added, "and I’m thrilled he’ll be with us for years to come.”
With Camryn Bynum now in Indianapolis, Metellus is expected to play an even bigger role on the backend of the defense alongside veteran Harrison Smith this season. His more hybrid safety-linebacker-slot corner role could now be a thing of the past, as he's officially making starting safety money.
“He earned this,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We’ve always said we want to reward players who do things the right way, and Josh embodies that completely. We’re excited about what’s ahead.”
MORE VIKINGS NEWS:
- Justin Jefferson injury update: Vikings star WR held out of practice with hamstring issue
- Vikings safety Josh Metellus makes hold-out decision clear on Day 1 of training camp
- Vikings training camp: Young, under-the-radar defender should be on fans' watch list
- Vikings depth chart update: Minnesota to feature NFL’s best front 7, analytics expert says
- Dallas Turner surprised to land with Vikings after not ‘the most fun’ pre-draft meeting