Vikings inform RB Alexander Mattison they're releasing him after underwhelming season as starter, per report
The Minnesota Vikings will likely have a new starting running back for the third time in three years.
The team informed Alexander Mattison on Thursday they will release him after a single season as their starting running back, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The move will save the Vikings $3.3 million in cap space against the two-year, $7 million contract Mattison signed as a free agent last offseason, per OverTheCap.
Mattison took over starting duties last season following the departure of Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook, whom the Vikings released to gain $9 million in cap space. The move made enough sense at the time. Cook was a perennial 1,000-yard rusher, but teams love to save at the running back position and Mattison had been solid in four seasons as Cook's backup.
Mattison was primed for bell cow duties in the Vikings backfield, but he struggled to provide a consistent rushing threat. He averaged only 3.7 yards per rush in his first eight games and failed to score a touchdown on the ground the entire season.
The Vikings finished the season 28th in the NFL in rushing attempts and 29th in rushing yards.
With Mattison on the way out, the Vikings are left with the likes of Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and DeWayne McBride as the running backs on their roster. Cam Akers is also a restricted free agent. Chandler is the most experienced runner of the group, with 461 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 102 attempts last season.
That will likely leave the Vikings looking for help in either the 2024 NFL Draft or free agency.
