Sources: Vikings' Metellus nets 3-year, $36M deal

The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up perhaps their final piece of offseason business Saturday, signing safety Josh Metellus to a three-year extension that ensures he will spend the bulk of his career with the squad that drafted him in the 2020 sixth round.

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EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up perhaps their final piece of offseason business Saturday, signing safety Josh Metellus to a three-year contract extension that ensures he will spend the bulk of his career with the team that made him a sixth-round draft choice in 2020.

The deal is worth $36 million with a maximum value of $42 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and includes $25 million in guarantees. Metellus' existing contract was set to void after this season.

"I'm here, baby," Metellus said to kick off a news conference prior to the Vikings' training camp practice. "I'm here."

Metellus was primarily a special teams player during his first three seasons, but he ascended into a multipositional role when defensive coordinator Brian Flores joined the Vikings in 2023. Although listed as a safety, Metellus played all over the field. During some games, coach Kevin O'Connell recalled Saturday, Metellus has lined up at as many as seven different positions. Over that period, Metellus started 27 games and played 90% of the Vikings' defensive snaps.

"His journey is something that means a lot to him," O'Connell said. "You've got first-round picks that eventually get their massive extensions, but some guys don't get to come into this league with that type of path and they've got to earn it from where they're selected, and earn it from what their roles are early on in their time, and then eventually when you get to a place where you've developed this kind of value for our team, I think it's really awesome."

Former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum turned down the team's overtures for a preseason extension last summer and instead signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this spring. Metellus said he could never envision himself leaving, and while he sat out some drills during OTAs and minicamp, he declined to pressure the Vikings further this summer.


Metellus participated in the Vikings' opening practice of training camp, saying afterward that he thought it was his responsibility as a team leader. An ankle injury forced him out of practice Thursday and Friday, but O'Connell said "we were being honest" about the diagnosis and that Metellus' absence was not related to negotiations.

Speaking Saturday, Metellus said there was no part of him that wanted to see if he could get a better deal next spring on the open market.

"I wanted to be here," he said. "I love it here. This is home. I want to finish my career here. I feel like I embody exactly what we want to build here and I want to win for the city. I understand the city is due for something big, so I'm just pouring everything I have into this."

The Vikings have now committed nearly $350 million in cash to their 2025 roster, capitalizing on the rookie contract of quarterback J.J. McCarthy to acquire a dozen veterans either through free agency or trade. They also re-signed running back Aaron Jones Sr., cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and safety Harrison Smith, and extended the existing contract of linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.

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Source: Commanders' McLaurin requests trade

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has requested a trade, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has requested a trade, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

McLaurin, who is seeking a contract extension with one year left on his current deal, reported to training camp Sunday to end his holdout but was placed on the physically unable to perform list because of an ankle injury.

He said earlier this month that he would not step on field without "progression" toward a new contract.

McLaurin has not publicly stated what sort of contract he is looking for, but he said last week that "with how the market is today, it conveys what guys of my caliber are deserving of."

Several notable wide receivers signed long-term deals this offseason, including the Bengals' Tee Higgins (four years, $115 million with $40.9 million guaranteed), the Steelers' DK Metcalf (four years, $132 million with $60 million guaranteed) and the Jets' Garrett Wilson (four years, $130 million, $90 million guaranteed).

McLaurin turns 30 in September, an age at which teams often believe a receiver starts to fade. He has pointed out that he has been in the NFL for only seven seasons, did not play much his first two seasons at Ohio State and didn't want to be judged by what others did in the past.

Two older high-end receivers signed extensions last year: At age 30, Miami's Tyreek Hill signed a three-year extension for $30 million per year with $52.535 million guaranteed. At 31, Tampa Bay's Mike Evans signed for two years and $41 million with $35 million guaranteed.

McLaurin has been Washington's top receiver since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2019. He has surpassed 1,000 yards each of the past five seasons and caught 13 touchdown passes in 2024 -- second most in the NFL.

ESPN's John Keim contributed to this report.

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Sources: Broncos, DL Allen agree to $102M deal

The Broncos are signing All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen to a four-year, $102 million deal that includes $69.5 million in guaranteed money, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- As the drumbeat of the construction of their new 205,000-square-foot football palace provides the soundtrack around them each day, the Denver Broncos continue to write checks and check things off their business to-do list.

Six days after signing wide receiver Courtland Sutton to a contract extension, the Broncos have agreed to terms on a four-year, $102 million extension for defensive end Zach Allen, sources told ESPN.

Allen's deal, which will begin in 2026, includes $69.5 million in guarantees, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and like Sutton's deal will run through the 2029 season. Allen was entering the final year of the three-year, $45.75 million contract he signed in 2023 with Denver.

The final year of that deal, which includes a $12.74 million base salary, will stay in place as Allen and his representatives have agreed to a true extension. It is the same structure the Broncos have used in other high-profile deals such as Sutton's and cornerback Pat Surtain II's.

In the rotational world of defensive line play, Allen is the rarest kind of high-volume player. He played a whopping 89% of the Broncos' defensive snaps last season -- when he was named a second-team All-Pro -- after he played 81% of the defensive snaps in 2023.

That stamina and his versatility -- he plays both end and tackle in some defensive groupings for the Broncos -- has consistently drawn praise from coach Sean Payton.

"I think it's a strength,'' Payton said earlier this week. "I am not making the comparison relative to the positions they play. But [Saints defensive lineman] Cam Jordan plays a different position, but Cam had the unique ability, on Play 72, it looked like Play 8. And I'd say Zach has that stamina and that cardio where he's in great shape. But when you look at the tape, it's hard to play on the offensive and defensive front, especially the defensive front, lot of snaps like that. And it's one of his strengths and the versatility.''

The Broncos and Allen's representatives had been in discussions on an extension at a variety of points in the offseason as well as since the start of training camp. Allen and his representatives had hoped for a new deal given his level of play in his two years with the Broncos.

Allen had career highs with 40 quarterback knockdowns and 8.5 sacks last season as the Broncos set a franchise record with 63 sacks. His 61 tackles last season were also a career best.

With Allen's and Sutton's deals done, the Broncos' biggest potential contract question is outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. Bonitto was also named a second-team All-Pro last season when he led the team with 13.5 sacks and is in the final year of his rookie deal.

Since he was a second-round pick in 2022, Bonitto is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March.

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Chargers' Perryman arrested on weapons charge

Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been arrested on a felony weapons charge, according to public records.

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LOS ANGELES -- Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman was arrested Friday night on a felony weapons charge, according to public records.

Perryman was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Friday and booked at 10:06 p.m.

"On August 1, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., South Los Angeles Station deputies conducted a traffic stop on Los Angeles Chargers football player Denzel Perryman, 32, for vehicle code violations," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "During the traffic stop deputies discovered five firearms in Mr. Perryman's vehicle, two of which were assault style rifles. He was arrested and booked on weapons violation charges and was cooperative with deputies.

"Mr. Perryman is being held without bail at South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station and is scheduled to appear at Inglewood Court on Tuesday August 5, 2025."

Perryman is in his second stint with the Chargers after rejoining the team before the 2024 season. He is expected to be a starter and play a significant role in the Chargers' inside linebacker group this season.

"Denzel and our team are still gathering information and working closely with legal counsel," Perryman's agent Ron Butler told ESPN. "While I can't speak to the details at this time, we're confident things will be handled appropriately through the legal process."

The Chargers said in a statement that they were gathering more information.

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