Alexander Mattison Could Soon Have New NFL Home
Two and a half weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings cut ties with Alexander Mattison after five seasons in purple.
Alexander Mattison Could Soon Have New NFL Home
The news was a mini-bombshell because OverTheCap.com claimed a Mattison release would net Minnesota no real positive savings. But after the release, OTC revealed that information to be inaccurate, and the Vikings indeed saved about $3.5 million.
Fast forward to free agency’s second week, and Mattison may soon have a new NFL home — the Las Vegas Raiders.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Monday morning, “Raiders hosting free agent running back Alexander Mattison today, per a league source.”
Las Vegas said sayonara to Josh Jacobs this offseason, who promptly landed with the Green Bay Packers, which means the Vikings will see him twice annually at a minimum. The Raiders are on deck to hand Zamir White RB1 responsibilities, assuming they don’t draft a tailback somewhat early in April’s draft. We shall see.
If Mattison signs on Las Vegas’ dotted line, he’d join this RB corps:
- Zamir White
- Ameer Abdullah
- Brittain Brown
- Sincere McCormick
- Tyreik McAllister
Unless one of those men is sitting on an unforeseen breakout campaign, the Raiders really need RB help. Mattison could help fortify the depth if he leaves Las Vegas with a contract.
Mattison struggled mightily in one audition as the Vikings’ RB1. The team tabbed him as the lead guy entering 2023, and the experiment undeniably flopped. Mattison tabulated 180 carries for 700 yards and zero touchdowns. The veteran runner was injured in November, and second-year halfback Ty Chandler took over, immediately providing more burst and production, seeming to solidify an enhanced role in 2024.
Before 2023, Mattison was quite impressive in the Vikings’ offense, serving as a dependable RB2 behind Dalvin Cook for four seasons. In fact, when Cook would miss time, Vikings fans were never too apprehensive about Mattison taking over for a game or two. He’s a wonderful dude, on the whole, and Vikings faithful should remember Mattison fondly.
Mattison, oddly, is younger than the aforementioned Chandler despite joining the NFL three years prior. He’ll turn 26 in June. If signed by the Raiders, Mattison would probably check in as an RB2 once again if no rookie halfbacks dribbled off the board early for Las Vegas in April.
Las Vegas ranked 27th leaguewide per rushing DVOA in 2023 — and that was with Jacobs in the RB1 role. It’s looking a bit grim for the Raiders’ ground game in 2024, with or without Mattison.
The Raiders employ four other former Vikings: Ameer Abdullah (RB), Daniel Carlson (K), Marcus Epps (S), and Janarius Robinson (EDGE).
Vikings Make Rare Announcement
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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