NFL

Vikings sign S Josh Metellus to three-year, $36 million contract extension

Credit to Metellus. The safety wanted — and deserved — a new deal, but still showed up to training camp and worked, waiting for an agreement to come to fruition. Things have a way of working themselves out, and now the 27-year-old will be in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.

Safety contracts lag behind most other positions, but that doesn’t mean solid starters like Metellus shouldn’t receive sizeable deals. Last season, he recorded 103 tackles and two interceptions, playing all over the secondary for the Vikings. There are warts in Metellus’ game, including coverage and size limitations. Those haven’t gotten in the way of the 2020 sixth-round pick of being production, though.

The Vikings have built a strong foundation under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, firmly establishing themselves as NFC contenders. The next step is sustainable postseason success, but that may prove difficult with an inexperienced quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. A strong defense, aided by Metellus, should help combat potential struggles by the young signal-caller.

Grade: B