In a significant shakeup to their backfield lineup, the Minnesota Vikings have decided to part ways with Alexander Mattison, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday. After just one season leading the Vikings’ rushing attack, Mattison’s tenure in Minnesota comes to an end.
Having served as the second-string running back for the Vikings for the first four years of his career, Mattison saw his opportunity to step into a consistent starting role in 2023 following the release of Dalvin Cook. He had re-signed with Minnesota on a two-year deal, aiming to capitalize on his newfound starting position. However, Mattison’s performance fell short of expectations, leading to his release after just one season as the primary running back.
During the 2023 season, Mattison managed to tally 700 rushing yards on 180 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt, and failed to score any touchdowns throughout the year. His underwhelming statistics placed him among the least productive starting running backs in the league.
Despite being handed the starting role, Mattison struggled to make a significant impact in games, failing to record 100-plus rushing yards in any single matchup. Furthermore, he posted less than 45 rushing yards in 11 out of 16 appearances, culminating in a loss of the starting role by the end of the season.
The Vikings’ rushing offense, with Mattison at the helm, ranked a disappointing No. 29 in the league, accumulating just 1,553 yards and a league-low seven rushing touchdowns, three of which were contributed by quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The lackluster ground game placed additional pressure on the team’s passing attack, especially given the instability at the quarterback position throughout the season.
With Mattison’s departure, Ty Chandler emerges as the primary returning running back with significant yardage from the previous season, having recorded 102 carries and 461 yards in 17 games. Chandler notably started the final four contests in place of Mattison. The remaining running backs on the roster combined for a mere 20 rushing yards, highlighting the need for restructuring and reinforcement in the Vikings’ backfield as they prepare for the upcoming season.
