The Vikings are releasing Alexander Mattison.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that the Vikings have notified the running back they are releasing him.
Mattison took over starting running back duties in 2023 after the Vikings parted ways with Dalvin Cook last offseason. Mattison struggled in the RB1 role rushing for only 700 yards and zero touchdowns.
The Vikings drafted Mattison in the third-round of the 2019 draft. The 25-year-old rushed for 2,370 yards and 11 touchdowns in his five years in Minnesota.
Vikings informed RB Alexander Mattison today that they are releasing him, per source. Mattison took over last season for Dalvin Cook and ran for 700 yards and caught 30 passes. Now he becomes a free agent again, like last year when he signed a two-year deal with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/ez5fvvqGxn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2024
Cutting Mattison seemingly makes way for third-year back Ty Chandler to take over starting duties.
Chandler filled in as RB1 while Mattison was injured and retained a majority of the workload upon Mattison’s return. He finished with 461 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His 4.5 yards-per-carry were a noticeable jump from Mattison’s 3.9 yards-per-carry.
“Mattison was a quality back when paired with Dalvin Cook in previous years but last season it was clear that he didn’t fit with what Kevin O’Connell was trying to do,” Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller told Bring Me The News. “The Vikings need a significant upgrade at the position that can’t be made by just tweaking the scheme so it makes sense that they would move on.”
Vikings head coach heaped praise on Chandler Tuesday at the NFL Combine when asked about the team’s lackluster running game in 2023.
“I love where Ty is at,” O’Connell told media at the Combine. “Going to be a big offseason for him. Really, really excited about Ty.”
The move will save the Vikings $3.35 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. Mattison had a $2.75 million guarantee set to hit March 15, according to the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling.
