Joshua Metellus - Defensive Coordinator, vikings Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-05 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 5, 2026, Joshua Metellus addressed the media during a press conference for the Minnesota Vikings. The event provided an opportunity for Metellus to discuss team dynamics, player relationships, and personal experiences in the NFL.
Transcript
Unknown: We only see so much, so there must be some things we don't know about him. As soon as he leaves this field, he smiles with good amount of time. You guys probably don't get to see that too often, but he smiles a lot. I would say he's a great coach, man. I think what a lot of people don't realize, he's big on the relationship off the field. So there's a lot of stuff that we know about Flo and he knows about us and our families just because he goes out his way to do those kind of things and build those kind of relationships. He talks about all the time, the fellowship. That's something that's been consistent since he's been here. It's just him trying to integrate into our lives and integrate us into his life off the field so we can trust each other more on the field.
Unknown: One more out of the box question, your favorite player growing up was? My favorite player close to the position I played was Adrian Peterson. I was a big AP fan, but you guys are gonna get a kick out of this. A-Rod was my favorite, just a national football player. For the longest, I was a big Packer fan. Just cuz I just, I don't know, some about 12 and Madden, he always gave me the dub against my brother. So I just always watched the NFC North for them two guys alone. And I would say my rookie year, it was crazy. I got to play against AP when he was in Detroit. And then I got to obviously play against A-Rod. He threw a touchdown on me that year too. So it was a great welcome to the league moment to see my past come, be a part of my presence. So those two guys are my guys.
Unknown: Josh, you take so much pride in ushering young guys and new guys into this defense as we head into this last preseason game. Who are some guys that you would tell Vikings fans that they need to be on lookout for? And who are some guys that you're really encouraging heading into this last run?
Metellus: Yeah, for sure, starting on the defensive back end, Jacob Thomas. Jacoby's gonna make his debut this weekend. So that'll be great to see those two flying back there, doing their thing. I think when we talk about just all of our corners, I think we got a really deep corner room. I think even the guys we're gonna get to get in the game this week with Jared and Trey, just Bryce, just guys who have been here but haven't really got to see those reps. I'm excited about those guys getting reps. Obviously, Josh Ross and J-Rob and BK, those three sets of linebackers that we got coming in in that second quarter, second half. I love the way they play, man, downhill, hair on fire, something to prove. I think we just got a deep team in general. I think any guy you watch and pay attention to, he's gonna do something good. They understand what's at stake, third preseason game, cuts coming around this weekend. So you can expect a lot of best this weekend.
Unknown: I feel like we always ask you this question ahead of the last preseason game, but what do you tell those guys headed into it?
Metellus: Job interview, be intentional. That was the model for the week, being intentional on everything you do. It sucks, but you wanna be as real as possible. And I try to tell you, some guys might get to play and put on a uniform till next year or might not ever again. This might be your last opportunity. So be intentional, understand what's at stake, understand what you're doing it for, and just have fun, that's the name of the game.
Unknown: Josh, do you see the young guys up front? The guy like Ty, who's also kind of playing a little bit on the edge. Yeah, what do you like to see from him in the second year now? Cuz he's coming into his own.
Metellus: Yeah, I think the versatility, and not a lot of people, you guys understand we move positions a lot. But it's kind of hard to get comfortable in a league where we don't try to kill us with reps, you don't get that many, especially when you're a young guy. And then for you to be moved around in the different spots, for him to take that a year, first year under his belt, and diagnose what happened. And figure out what he can do to get better at each spot. And for him to come in and actually use that, and put that out on the tape. It's been really special to see. I think once guys get comfortable in his defense, you start to see their true potential come out. And I think he's definitely one of those guys who are gonna make a big jump this year.
Unknown: First full of training camp with Al Harrison Smith, how was that for the safety room?
Metellus: It was good. I think our room especially, we're so close. By the time we looked up after a couple weeks, we realized that, yeah, Tutu's not here, it has just been us. So I think it's been great. I think relationships has definitely built up a little more. Just me being able to be in a safety room with a bunch of different guys and play with a bunch of different guys. I'm used to just looking over to my right and seeing Tutu, but to see the different group of guys that we've had in there, getting reps. When Ma was in there, Theo, Jay War, Jacob, Jacob, we got a deep room. And it's been good to show all of our skill sets, be able to play off each other.
Unknown: Is there any advice you gave Jacoby? Cuz it's been so long since you got to play in a game.
Metellus: Do your job. Yeah, don't go out there chasing. A guy like him, a guy who is expecting big things out of himself in this league. And especially this year, you can go out there and miss two weeks. You see other people balling. You try to do too much, do your job, the plays will come. We drafted you for a reason. Your skill sets are gonna show if you just do your job and play fast. So I'm hoping he just goes out there, play with a clear head, understands what's at stake, and just do your job. So it's a long career ahead.
Unknown: Josh, you talk about how Beflow says, hey, who are you right now? Cuz you have so many different jobs in different plays from one to the next. Like he said, Jay Ward, I sometimes forget about his safety. He's always a nickel. How do you tell that to a younger guy that be who you are in that moment? And then the next moment you're someone else? How do you do that?
Metellus: Teammates, I think a lot of stuff we do, you gotta rely on the guys next to you. So we always before the play, before the series, try to talk to each other. Are you at this spot? I'm at this spot, handle your job, handle this. Make sure you get this done, giving each other tips, reminding each other. Understanding that you're out there with 10 other guys and you're not just in it by yourself. So you're gonna have help. So no matter what spot you're in, whatever job role you have at that exact moment. You got 10 other guys out there with you to help you get that done. So trust in the scheme, trust in the system, trust in yourself, it'll be good.
Unknown: Was that like you two years ago when you're like, okay, right now I'm lying back?
Metellus: Yeah, yeah, it was a group process. I had guys specifically coming in. I remember BZ used to tell me what the play was. We had Tutu tell me what personnel we were in, what's the check. We had guys telling me a bunch of stuff, what position I am. Cuz I'm thinking about a bunch of different things. So yeah, it was a lot. But now I'm the guy telling me reminding time dockets, all right, you're the edge display or you're the five. So it's nice to see it full circle.