Heading into training camp, the Minnesota Vikings have one big piece of contract extension business. Safety Josh Metellus has been undeniably valuable over the last two seasons, as a bigger defensive role in Brian Flores' scheme has unlocked his full potential.
Metellus is also an incredibly versatile chess piece for Flores, lining up virtually everywhere imaginable across the defensive formation. That makes it difficult to quantify his market value as he heads into the final year of his contract, since he's not a traditional safety, and those contract comps don't strictly apply.
What's not in doubt is how Metellus is due for a notable raise as he ends his current two-year, $8 million deal. It's also far more likely than not that the Vikings will reward him before he can hit the open market in March. If a deal isn't done before the season starts, or soon after, it will be surprising.
Regardless of when he signs a contract extension, Metellus will have a little extra motivation this season.
Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus has a viable path to cash in 2025 incentives
According to Spotrac, Metellus has incentives this year based on the percentage of the Vikings' defensive snaps he plays. He'll get $500,000 with a 60 percent snap share, $1 million at a 70 percent snap share, $1.6 million at an 80 percent snap share, and $2.5 million at a 90 percent snap share. Those thresholds are not cumulative, with $2.5 million the max possible.
With a $3.67 million base salary this year, pending any adjustment that might come if/when he gets his contract extension, simply being on the field a lot can greatly boost Metellus' pay for 2025.
Metellus also has an interception-related incentive for this year, with $100,000 coming his way with two interceptions, $250,000 due to him with four interceptions and $500,000 if he gets six interceptions.
Metellus has played all 17 games in each of the last two seasons, with a 94 percent defensive snap share in 2023 and an 87 percent snap share last year. A repeat along the same lines would land him at least an additional $1.6 million in 2025.
The interception incentive looks tougher for Metellus to max out. He had two interceptions last year and one the year before. A repeat of 2024 would, of course, get him the $100,000 incentive bonus. But with five pass breakups in each of the last three seasons, a subtle shift in fortune could get him a couple more interceptions and some additional supplemental pay.
Metellus surely isn't lacking for motivation. But he does have some extra incentive this year, as he looks to max out his current contract before his bigger payday kicks in next year.
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