Josh Metellus limits work in minicamp but contract dispute doesn't change his demeanor
The veteran is sitting out of 7-on-7 and special teams drills, but he's still taking part in 11-on-11 work as negotiations continue on a contract extension.
Josh Metellus appears to be in the middle of the least contentious contract dispute in NFL history. Entering the final season of a woefully below-market-value two-year, $13 million contract he signed in 2023, Metellus did not take part in 7-on-7 or special teams drills Tuesday as the Vikings opened their three-day mandatory minicamp.
Metellus was on the field for 11-on-11 team work, continuing a trend that occurred during the two voluntary OTAs open to the media in recent weeks.
Usually a contract dispute results in a player staying away from OTAs and even minicamp — that can result in fines — or a player will show up for minicamp but conduct a hold-in. The player doesn’t take part in any practices but doesn’t get fined because he’s fulfilled his obligation to attend.
Defensive end Danielle Hunter held out from minicamp in 2023 but reported for the start of training camp. He conducted a hold-in before quickly signing a one-year contract worth up to $20 million. Tight end T.J. Hockenson also held in during the same training camp, electing to skip individual and team drills. The Vikings claimed Hockenson was dealing with an ear infection and back pain but it was clear his non-participation was contract related. That also was resolved with Hockenson agreeing to a new deal.
Given Metellus’ value to the Vikings defense, it would be understandable if he had stayed away from the offseason program. He had started only three games and played 328 defensive snaps over his first three seasons when he signed a deal that guaranteed $6 million.
While Metellus never said his absence from 7-on-7 drills was contract related, he said everyone is on the same page with what’s transpiring. “It’s all good,” Metellus said. “That’s part of the process right now. The coaches, front office, everybody understands the situation. I’m here, I’m building a chemistry with my new teammates and old teammates, and I’m being the same guy I am all the time. You guys know me. There ain’t nothing changed.”
That’s not entirely true.
Metellus’ status with the Vikings has changed — a lot. That puts him in line for a significant payday. He started all 17 games he played in 2023 and started 10 of 17 games in 2024. He’s become a fixture in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense, playing 2,056 snaps over the past two years. Metellus, 27, also has participated in nearly 50 percent of the snaps on special teams over each of the past two seasons.
It makes little sense for Metellus to risk injury until he gets a new contract and that’s likely why he’s not taking part in 7-on-7 drills. The Vikings are moving at what appears to be less than half speed at 11-on-11 as these install and go through plays. The 7-on-7 work is done at full speed in more of a passing camp environment. That means it carries more risk.
The Vikings haven’t been hesitant to pay players this offseason. They were one of the NFL’s top spenders in free agency, and on Tuesday tight end Josh Oliver signed a three-year extension worth a reported $27.5 million.
So what’s the hang up with the Vikings closing a deal with Metellus’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus? It might come down to a disagreement on what position each side thinks Metellus plays. He’s listed as a safety but Flores has turned him into a rover who creates issues for opposing offenses.
Last season, Metellus played 512 snaps in the box, 330 in the slot, 90 at free safety, 33 at corner and 63 as an outside edge rusher. “I came into this league as a safety, (so) that’s forever going to be my true position,” Metellus said. “All the other stuff is just something that adds to my volume. At the end of the day, I’m a ballplayer. A thousand snaps at whatever position, I’m going to do my thing to help the team win.”
Metellus might feel that way, but Rosenhaus likely doesn’t. Using the NFL’s 2025 franchise tag numbers, safeties were valued at $18.6 million on a one-year contract. That was the lowest of any defensive position. Metellus also has lined up at linebacker — a position valued at $25.5 million. The corner spot comes in at $20.2 million.