Minnesota Vikings’ do-it-all safety Josh Metellus, a cornerstone of Brian Flores’ dynamic defense over the past two seasons, has been noticeably limited in recent OTA practices. Despite no reported injuries, the 27-year-old’s reduced participation has sparked speculation about his motives, with many pointing to his ongoing contract negotiations as the likely cause.
Metellus is entering the final year of a team-friendly two-year, $8 million extension signed before the 2023 season, a deal that became a steal for the Vikings after his breakout performance as a full-time defensive star. Emerging as a versatile, borderline star under Flores, Metellus stuffed the stat sheet in 2023, showcasing his ability to impact games from multiple positions. While his stats dipped slightly last season, he remained an every-down force, lining up all over the field in Flores’ scheme.
With extension talks ongoing but no deal finalized, Metellus appears to be employing a modern tactic known as the “hold-in.” Unlike the traditional “holdout” — where players skip practices entirely — the hold-in allows Metellus to attend voluntary OTAs, secure workout bonuses, and stay connected with teammates while minimizing injury risk by limiting his reps. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) discourages holdouts during training camp due to hefty fines, making the hold-in a strategic move for players in Metellus’ position.
“I think there’s interest from both sides in continuing that relationship, and he continues to be an important piece of the defense in Minnesota,” said Ben Goessling on the Access Vikings podcast. “But as of now, that contract is not done, and there’s not much in terms of guaranteed money for him at this point.” Goessling noted that players like Danielle Hunter and T.J. Hockenson have used similar tactics during contract talks, suggesting Metellus may be mitigating risk while awaiting a new deal. “The Occam’s razor here would suggest that the contract is at least a factor in how he’s approaching practices,” he added.
I’ll leave no question this year about where I belong in these talks 📈 https://t.co/UsmmWRHATX
— Joshua Metellus (@NoExcuses_23) June 5, 2025
A sixth-round pick out of Michigan in 2020, Metellus initially carved out a role as a core special teams player before blossoming into a defensive standout. His current contract, signed when he was primarily a special teamer, vastly underrepresents his value as one of the Vikings’ most versatile defenders. With safety Camryn Bynum’s departure and the potential retirement of Harrison Smith looming, Metellus’ long-term importance to the team is undeniable.
The Vikings have a track record of rewarding key players with extensions, as seen recently with Andrew Van Ginkel. Given Metellus’ youth, versatility, and proven impact, it’s likely only a matter of time before the two sides reach an agreement. Until then, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the star safety’s “hold-in” strategy pays off with the multi-million dollar deal he deserves.