Left Off the List? Vikings Defender Fires Back

Minnesota Vikings fans hang custom signage mid-celebration on Oct. 1, 2023, after a road win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports. Josh Metellus wants his Top 10 flowers. One Vikings defender responds after being left off the pecking order of the NFL’s top safeties. He made it clear he’s using the snub as motivation for 2025. It’s just that ESPN wasn’t in the mood to acknowledge him as a Top 10 safety last week when it released the leaguewide pecking order, according to NFL executives, scouts, and coaches. Metellus was nowhere to be found. And he noticed. A Tweet Showed that Josh Metellus Is Aware of his Top 10 Snub The perceived disrespect is now fuel for Metellus. Josh Metellus (44) of the Minnesota Vikings snags an interception in the third quarter on Sep. 15, 2024, against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. Josh Metellus Acknowledges ESPN Slight By position, ESPN has polled execs, scouts, and coaches this summer, formulating Top 10 rankings. When safeties arrived on the docket, Metellus was wholly absent. A social media aggregator then listed the Top 10 safeties on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Metellus retweeted the following: The comment implies that Metellus will remember the snub, evidently convinced he should be a part of the league’s best — or at least an honorable mention. No luck. Top 10 Would Be Pretty Generous for Metellus Metellus is well-known in Vikings circles, and of course, if purple fans decided the league’s 10 best, Metellus would likely be included. However, per execs, scouts, and coaches, Metellus doesn’t quite have the name recognition to venture into the Top 10. The veteran defensive back is renowned for his versatility, playing all over Brian Flores’ defense, even featured as an EDGE rusher from time to time. Vikings loyalists adore his all-arounder profile, but it’s just that he hasn’t caught on nationally. Not enough to turn heads at ESPN and beyond, apparently. Metellus may need a Pro Bowl or All-Pro season to get his kudos Fuel Is Just Fine The slight from execs, scouts, and coaches will only motivate Metellus. His tweet is evidence. Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (54) celebrate a key stop on Dec. 16, 2024, against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images. Metellus is also requesting a contract extension from Minnesota’s leadership, an agreement that should be around the bend sometime later this summer. While not included in ESPN’s list, he should earn at least $10 million annually via his next contract. Along the way, as Metellus has no interest in leaving the Twin Cities, he’ll use the snub as fuel to prove the naysayers wrong. That could translate to havoc-wreaking on Sundays. Other Metellus Takes Joe Nelson of SI.com wrote about Metellus last week after that site labeled him the fourth-best safety in the NFC North, “Metellus has blossomed into one of Minnesota’s most important defenders, a do-it-all playmaker who lines up all over the field. In any other division, it would be hard to find more than two safeties who are better than Metellus — but the NFC North is loaded at the position and therefore his ranking is fair.” “The biggest question with Metellus at the moment is his contract. He’s in the final year of the two-year, $8 million extension that now looks like the ultimate bargain.” On Dec. 24, 2023, Minnesota safety Josh Metellus (44) takes the field before facing the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports. Metellus’ teammate, Harrison Smith, didn’t make SI.com‘s rankings whatsoever. Nelson added, “The fact that the Vikings let safety Cam Bynum walk in free agency (he signed with the Colts) is a strong indicator that Minnesota plans to reach a long-term agreement with Metellus.” “His value simply can’t be overlooked — and with Harrison Smith’s retirement likely coming after this season, Metellus has plenty of reason to wait until he gets an offer he can’t refuse.” Kyle Hamilton Leads the Way The Vikings could’ve drafted Kyle Hamilton in 2022 — fans talk about it frequently — but traded down that year and chose Lewis Cine, who left the team after two seasons last summer. Hamilton took home the top spot on ESPN’s top safeties list: “Hamilton gets the benefit of the doubt despite a production dip. In 2023, he was the only safety with at least 10 tackles for loss and 10 pass deflections. He added three sacks and four interceptions yet finished second behind Antoine Winfield Jr. in the top 10 ranking.” “This year, he was down significantly in each of those categories yet received more than 60% of the first-place votes. The reason is simple: His value transcends numbers. Hamilton’s 14.5% ball-hawking rate is decent but unspectacular, coming on 76 targets.” Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton (14) gets set pregame on Oct. 9, 2022, before the Ravens faced the Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports. In fact, Hamilton is one of Vikings fans’ almighty “what could have beens.” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler concluded on Hamilton in the top spot: “But he can line up all over the field, from free safety to ‘star’ linebacker. He played 200 snaps in 2024 ‘from the slot’ as an overhang defender. He is one of five players over the past two seasons with 15 pass breakups, five interceptions and multiple forced fumbles.” Metellus will begin his pursuit of Top 10 recognition in 53 days when the regular season gets underway at the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.