Josh Metellus isn’t tiptoeing around the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. He’s putting a big target on it.
With Brian Flores back in charge and a front seven that looks loaded on paper, Metellus believes Minnesota has a real chance to be the NFL’s best run-stopping unit this season. That’s a strong statement in any camp setting, but it carries extra weight coming from a player who’s seen Flores deploy him all over the field - deep safety, box defender, and even near the line of scrimmage.
On the “Bent Outta Shape” podcast with former Vikings Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, Metellus made the case plainly. “Starting up front, this front seven, I think it's probably the best that we had,” he said. He then pushed the point even further, predicting Minnesota will “probably be the best run defense in the National Football League.”
That’s the kind of confidence Flores is banking on. A defense that can shut down the run early changes everything: it forces obvious passing downs, lets Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner attack with more freedom, and gives Metellus more chances to disguise whether he’s blitzing, covering a tight end or sinking into a deeper zone.
Minnesota’s front seven is the biggest reason for the optimism. Van Ginkel, Eric Wilson, Turner and Blake Cashman headline a group that has both depth and versatility, while the interior brings enough size and experience to keep blockers from reaching the second level cleanly.
The numbers from 2025 show why Metellus’ prediction stands out. The Vikings were third in total defense, but they ranked 21st against the run, giving up 124.1 yards per game. Metellus expects that to change.
He’s also got the production to back up the swagger. In 96 career games, the 28-year-old has posted 369 tackles, three sacks, six interceptions, 22 passes defended, five forced fumbles and three recoveries.
His best season came in 2023, when he piled up 116 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He also had two interceptions in both 2024 and 2025, along with six passes defended in 2025.
Metellus made it clear he thinks this unit has to set the tone for the whole team. “I think the defense is going to need to step up a lot and lead the way for this team and this offense, especially after last year,” he said, adding that the standard has to last “from play one to play 100.”
He wasn’t suggesting the offense is doomed to struggle. But after an uneven 2025, his message was that the defense needs to take control early, keep Kevin O'Connell’s offense from playing from behind and make games more manageable.
And Metellus knows opponents will test that belief right away. If a team comes out and runs the ball three straight times to open a game, No. 44 should get an early answer on just how real this run defense really is.
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