Josh Metellus has gone from a sixth-round pick in 2020 to one of the highest paid safeties in the NFL.
The former Michigan Wolverine has agreed to a three-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced Saturday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the deal is for $36 million and can reach $42 million with incentives.
Metellus, who didn’t become a full-time starter until 2023, was set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. He now becomes the 13th-highest paid safety in the league, per Overthecap.com.
“Multi-year captain since I’ve been here and such a vital part of our success on and off the field,” Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell said Saturday afternoon. “It’s hard to imagine them making them any better as a player or person than Josh Metellus — what he means to me personally, our friendship, our bond we formed. 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.”
While listed as a safety, the 5-foot-11, 207-pounder has been used as a Swiss Army knife in the Vikings’ defense, also lining up at linebacker and nickel at times. Since earning a starting role in 2023, he has recorded 219 tackles, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions and 2 ½ sacks over the past two seasons. The Florida native totaled 64 tackles over his first three seasons.
At Michigan, Metellus appeared in 47 games from 2016-19 with 38 starts. He was a three-time all-Big Ten honoree.
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