Minnesota Vikings sign safety Josh Metellus to extension - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up perhaps their final piece of offseason business Saturday, signing safety Josh Metellus to a three-year contract extension that ensures he will spend the bulk of his career with the team that made him a sixth-round draft choice in 2020.

The deal is worth $36 million with a maximum value of $42 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and includes $25 million in guarantees. Metellus' existing contract was set to void after this season.

«I'm here, baby,» Metellus said to kick off a news conference prior to the Vikings' training camp practice. «I'm here.»

Metellus was primarily a special teams player during his first three seasons, but he ascended into a multi-positional role when defensive coordinator Brian Flores joined the Vikings in 2023. Although listed as a safety, Metellus played all over the field. During some games, coach Kevin O'Connell recalled Saturday, Metellus has lined up at as many as seven different positions. Over that period, Metellus started 27 games and played 90% of the Vikings' defensive snaps.

«His journey is something that means a lot to him,» O'Connell said. «You've got first-round picks that eventually get their massive extensions, but some guys don't get to come into this league with that type of path and they've got to earn it from where they're selected, and earn it from what their roles are early on in their time, and then eventually when you get to a place where you've developed this kind of value for our team, I think it's really awesome.»

Former Vikings safety Cam Bynum turned down the team's overtures for a preseason extension last summer and instead signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this spring. Metellus