The Vikings have reportedly re-signed running back Alexander Mattison to a 2-year deal worth up to $8 million. This move comes after Mattison was set to go into free agency after his rookie contract ended.
Numerous questions are lingering in all Vikings fans after this signing, but the biggest one might be, was this the best move the Vikings could make?
There have been rumors that the Vikings have been planning on moving on from primary running back Dalvin Cook this offseason, which could be a reason for this signing. Still, the Vikings shipping off Cook to another team looks pretty unrealistic. If the Vikings were to get rid of Cook, he is set to count $14.1 million against the cap.
Mattison is a solid backup to Cook, with Cook seeming to find himself injured during the season at some time. It is no doubt that Mattison and Cook have been one of the best running back duos since they came together when Mattison was drafted.
This signing could mean that the Vikings could move on from Cook after the 2023 NFL Season, and after they pay him the $11 million he is due.
Some Vikings fans find it a little surprising that Mattison returned to Minnesota, as his production went down severely last season under new head coach Kevin O’Connell compared to his production when Mike Zimmer was head coach.
In his first 3 NFL Seasons, Mattison averaged 110 rushes and 462.3 rush yards. In this past season, Mattison fell well short of both of those numbers, having only 74 rushes for 283 yards. However, Mattison did have a career-high in rushing touchdowns, showing how he was utilized more as a power back under Kevin O’Connell.
The Vikings still have Dalvin Cook for at least one more year. Kene Nwangwu is going into the 3rd year of his 4-year rookie contract, and Ty Chandler will be entering his 2nd year in the league. Nwangwu and Chandler weren’t used much last year in the run game besides in Week 18 against the bears where Chandler rushed for 20 yards on 6 attempts, and Nwangwu rushed for 13 yards on 5 attempts.
The Vikings seem to be set for the future at running back, even for when Dalvin Cook ultimately leaves Minnesota. That being said, who knows if Alexander Mattison’s re-signing was the best move or not, as that is an answer for the future. For now all we can say is that Mattison passed on a possible starting job somewhere else in order to return to Minnesota.
