EAGAN, Minn. — When Joshua Metellus spoke with media members Wednesday, he simply smiled when asked about Harrison Smith's impending decision on his future.

Are you holding out hope that he might still come back at some point?

Metellus quickly answered, "Always," shortly after wrapping up Minnesota's second mandatory minicamp practice of the week.

He emphasized, though, he's supportive of "The Hitman" in whatever direction he goes.

"He's played a lot of football. And at the end of the day, too, we built a great relationship off the field," Metellus said. "Our families, we share a suite together [at U.S. Bank Stadium]. So it's bigger than football, and at this point in his life and in my life, I'm just trying to be a good friend and not pressure him on everything for my own desires.

"Obviously I would love to have him back in the building," Metellus added. "But he's a growing man, family man. He has a lot of things he wants to focus on right now, so I'm kind of letting that be — but here with big open arms if he wants to come in this building at any time."

This summer marks the first time since the Vikings drafted Metellus in 2020 that he hasn't shared a classroom, locker room and practice field with Smith. It's certainly different, though everything he's learned from the elder safety throughout his first six seasons continues to be implemented.

Metellus also continues to lead in a natural way, serving as a resource for the younger players and providing direction when needed.

He noted his "job hasn't changed too much" in that sense, even with Smith not in the room.

"The dynamic that me and 22 had when he was here … he's not that guy who's going to be a loud, screaming, vocal guy," Metellus quipped. "So once I stepped into my leadership role years ago, he kind of let me handle that. So on that forefront, it's nothing too different. I've always been the vocal guy, the guy to take charge by action and voice."

He's enjoyed doing just that with "a great group of guys."

The Vikings defensive backs group has changed significantly, seeing position coach changes as well as the absence (at least for now) of Smith, but Metellus is excited about the room and its potential.

Among the new faces is third-round draft pick Jakobe Thomas, whom the Vikings tabbed this spring out of Miami.

Thomas, who will turn 23 on June 30, has made a positive first impression.

"You talk about a guy who's only been here a couple weeks, he knows the system like the back of his hand already," Metellus said. "It's more about the little things, the ins and outs of why we do things that he has to get a grasp on, and that's when it comes to reps. But in terms of just natural football, I.Q., things come very easy to him.

"This defense is a lot, so we're throwing a lot at him, but he's been handling it very well," Metellus added.

It's clear Thomas "loves the game," which speaks volumes to another blue-collar player like Metellus.

"You appreciate that," he said. "Especially a young guy, to come in and already be talking about his journey and his path and where he wants to be. He wants to put on a [Hall of Fame] Gold Jacket like we all do, and you can feel that in the way he works and goes about things.

"You can see it, too," Metellus continued. "It's not just talk. He's in here late meeting with the coaches, meeting with [Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores], trying to get caught up to speed. So it's definitely been great."

Metellus and some of the other vets recognize Flores could be intimidating for defenders getting their NFL start — but he's assured Thomas and the other first-year players that the long-time coach wants nothing more than to help each one reach his full potential.

It's important to take Flores' instruction to heart; as the adage goes, there's a method to the madness.

"He loves football more than anybody, and he's very particular about how he wants things done," Metellus said. "So his emotions can get involved, and you can start to feel his emotions and not hear what he's telling you.

"Young guys can feel pressured from coaches, especially coaches like Flo' who have that stature, who have that résumé," he continued. "But I just try to tell them, 'Ease your mind. You know how to play football. He just wants you to do the job, be your best self.' "

It's a message that reverberates throughout the locker room as Metellus and the team look forward to the fresh slate of the 2026 season.

Often referred to as a Swiss Army knife on the field due to his versatility, Metellus' role in Minnesota's defense has looked different season-by-season. Analytics site Pro Football Focus breaks up players' snaps by the positions in which they line up, and reviewing just Metellus' past two seasons shows a drastic difference from 2024 to 2025:

Metellus' snaps by alignment

Defensive line: 63 in 2024; 43 in 2025

Box: 512 in 2024; 315 in 2025

Slot corner: 330 in 2024; 124 in 2025

Wide corner: 33 in 2024; 35 in 2025

Free safety: 90 in 2024; 350 in 2025

Worth noting and as Metellus pointed out, former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum departed in free agency following the 2024 campaign — a move that impacted Metellus' responsibilities last season.

How will things play out in 2026? That remains to be seen.

"We had a deep room in the front seven, so we knew it would look a little different and we knew my role would change," Metellus explained. "Last year was definitely different for me, playing all those snaps back there, but toward the end of the year I got comfortable with it.

"You can start to see that on the tape even now," he added. "Now that we're in a year where we're still loaded in that front seven, but we [also] added some DBs that we're able to do both things if we really wanted to. It's almost like we've got to let Flo' choose. Do you want to go into a game with three outside linebackers, or do you want to go in a game with more DBs? It's how the roster shakes out and what guys step up in camp — that always determines how we play going into the year."

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