Another Running Back Change

The Minnesota Vikings informed running back Alexander Mattison that he will be released. The move is cost-saving and performance-based. He was scheduled to make $3.3 million in 2024, with $2.75 set to become fully guaranteed if Mattison was on the roster as of March 15. Releasing him before that day saves the Vikings $3.3 million in salary cap space for 2024. Mattison signed a two-year, $7 million deal at the start of free agency last season. After four years as the Vikings RB2 to Dalvin Cook, he was finally getting his shot to be the team’s top back. Lacking the big-play explosiveness of Cook, Mattison was expected to supply tough, efficient running. For a variety of reasons, that never happened. The run game was consistently more hindrance than boost, more insulting than complimentary. Mattison also put the ball on the ground far more often than he put it in the end zone. Less than a year after being anointed the Vikings top back, Mattison will be looking for a new team.

This is one of the most difficult aspects of professional sports. Alexander Mattison was a terrific complimentary running back for four years. He earned a shot at being RB1. On-the-field, off-the-field, he was a huge-plus player on the Vikings. None of the positives a player might bring to a team matters if he doesn’t produce on the field. Due to a few factors, 2023 was a very difficult season for the Vikings. Injuries and turnovers got all of the headlines and attention. Possession after possession and game after game, the inability to consistently run the ball derailed the offense. Other than the Cincinnati Bengals game, the Vikings got very little from the run game. 

The Vikings  current running back room:

Ty Chandler

Kene Nwangwu

DeWayne McBride

The Vikings traded for Cam Akers early last season. His opportunities were on an upward trajectory until he tore his Achilles. As a restricted free agent recovering from his second Achilles injury in a handful of years, he shouldn’t be difficult to retain. Depending on his health, I wouldn’t mind see him in Minnesota for a second season. 

If there was a glimmer of hope with the Vikings running backs, it was the early spark from Cam Akers and the emergence of Ty Chandler. The latter had essentially wrestled the top back role from Mattison by the end of the season. Many would argue that it was several weeks too late. Chandler’s speed and burst was noticeable. Speed has been Kene Nwangwu’s game. He’s probably even faster than Chandler. Through three seasons, he’s been more kick returner than running back. He’s gotten so little time in the backfield that his potential there is still a mystery. His speed has always made him a very intriguing player. As a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, DeWayne McBride essentially had a redshirt rookie season.  After an excellent college career, he’s still an unknown. Especially if Akers is part of the room, the Vikings could move forward with the four backs. More likely, I believe that the team will take, at least, a moderate swing at adding another running back. There are some proven, talented backs set to become free agents. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, and D’Andre Swift currently headline the group. Running back salaries have notoriously been suppressed recently. Despite that, contracts for some of those headliners will approach and surpass $10 million. With all of their needs, especially on defense, I’m not sure the Vikings can afford that sort of salary. The most interesting backs in the draft will probably be selected around the third round. Unfortunately, the Vikings don’t have a third-round pick. Hopefully, one or more drop to Day 3. USC’s MarShawn Lloyd is probably more current favorite. 

I thank Alexander Mattison for all that he’s done on-the-field and off in Minnesota. Best of luck moving forward.