Vikings Bring Back RB Alexander Mattison on a 2-Year Contract
Josh Frey
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Well, Kwesi is at it for a third straight evening. In another ‘after hours’ move, the Vikings GM has decided to bring back RB Alexander Mattison, meaning another Viking will stay in purple for the 2023 season.
As reported by Tom Pelissero, the deal with Mattison is a two-year contract worth a total of $7 million (with the potential to grow to $8 million) and $6.35 million in guarantees.
Mattison, a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has been the backup in Minnesota’s RB room to Dalvin Cook over the first four years of his career. Last offseason, he and the Vikings were unable to agree to terms on an extension due to his desire to be a lead back in 2023.
Perhaps that RB1 job may be available in Minnesota, though. While it seems unlikely that the Vikings will be able to swing a trade for Cook, at least one that brings back much notable draft capital, there is certainly a chance that Minnesota could cut the veteran back and save up to $9 million in salary cap space.
In 2022, Mattison saw his least load of carries in his career despite appearing in every game of the season for the first time in his career. He rushed just 74 times and these carries amounted to 283 yards and 5 TDs. He also caught 15 passes for 91 yards and another score.
Overall, he has totaled 59 games with the Vikings, including 6 starts, and he has totaled 404 carries, 1670 yards, and 11 TDs along with 70 receptions, 526 receiving yards, and 3 TDs.
Throughout his first four years, Mattison has certainly shown flashes of great rushing ability at times, but he has never done so on a consistent basis. Perhaps 2023 will be his chance to change that.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.