Vikings Make Notable Change to Social Media Account
Josh Frey
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Typically, the official Minnesota Vikings Twitter account features a banner photo including some of the top stars on the roster. Per usual, players like Kirk Cousins, T.J. Hockenson, and Justin Jefferson are featured on the photo.
However, the new photo for 2023 on the social media account has made a notable omission from the group: running back Dalvin Cook. Instead, the photo features Alexander Mattison, who re-signed with the Vikings this offseason to a two-year contract worth $7 million.
During an offseason where there have been so many rumors swirling as to what Cook’s future could be with the Vikings, this is just further evidence that Minnesota is set to move on from the veteran back.
On Tuesday, folks in the NFL Twitter universe began noticing the change as well. Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life posted a tweet including a screenshot of the new Vikings banner photo with the caption, “Vikings Twitter banner casually replacing Dalvin Cook with Alexander Mattison.” Field Yates of ESPN got in on the action as well by quote-tweeting Hartitz with the Brian Windhorst “Why would they do that?” gif.
Many have speculated as to where Cook could be headed this season, and Vikings leadership has not been particularly supportive of keeping the running back around, either. This happened as recently as April when Minnesota held a pre-draft press conference to discuss some of their offseason moves.
When asked about the re-signing of Mattison and whether or not it would mean Cook stayed on the roster, Adofo-Mensah took a couple seconds to formulate an answer, and here is what he said of the Vikings four-time Pro Bowler:
“I think in theory they could exist, of course. [They’re] different style backs. We try, and again, we talk about the systems we’re trying to play together, they’re different style backs, and they could fit complementary together.”
Cook is set to carry a $14.1 million cap hit in 2023, and there have been rumors circulating because of this hit, his age, and the shoulder surgery that he underwent that the Vikings could move on from him. Those whispers grew louder with the re-signing of Mattison as well as the reported interest in David Montgomery earlier in the offseason.
Regardless, the future in Minnesota’s backfield looks bright. Mattison is a powerful back while quietly having very capable hands as a receiver. During his first four NFL seasons, the Boise State product has caught 70 of 84 targets for 526 yards and 3 TDs.
Behind Mattison, the Vikings have three intriguing young players as well in Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and 2023 seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride. It will be interesting to see how touches are distributed between this quartet of players.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. 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.