NFL veteran running back Alexander Mattison signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Mattison spent his entire career to date with the Minnesota Vikings.
Another top running back domino to fall: Alexander Mattison agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the #Vikings, per source. The deal is worth $7 million that can get to $8M with $6.35M in guarantees. pic.twitter.com/hqIIKHWtig
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2023
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
So far in his career, Mattison has been a steady and useful backup to Dalvin Cook for the Vikings. He finished 2022 with 283 rushing yards and 91 receiving yards. In limited playing time, he found his way into the end zone a career-high six times this season. He has the prototypical size for a running back standing at 5’11” and weighing 215 pounds.
The Vikings drafted Mattison in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft following a very productive college career at Boise State. While at Boise State Mattison was the Mountain West Conference Championship MVP after carrying his team and the ball for 2,000 yards.
In his rookie season, he did not start a single game but appeared in 13. He totaled 544 yards from scrimmage in 2019 and scored his first touchdown against the then-Oakland Raiders. Mattison posted a career-high of 4.6 yards per carry, and currently averages 4.1 yards per carry throughout his career. He was not used as a receiver much as a rookie, only collecting ten receptions. He proved his viability as a pass catcher in 2021 when he received 39 targets for 32 receptions and 228 yards. This was good enough for fifth on the team, ahead of running mate Dalvin Cook.
In 2020 and 2021 Mattison saw an increased role whenever Cook went down due to injury. While his numbers are pedestrian when Cook is healthy, his splits as a starter are impressive. He averages 79.5 rushing yards per game, 36 receiving yards per game and almost a full touchdown a game. He has especially thrived against Detroit, posting totals of 145, 153 and 124 scrimmage yards in three instances as the starter. Over his four-year career Mattison has accumulated 1670 rushing yards, 526 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns. Despite having 404 carries, Mattison only has two career fumbles and has not fumbled since Week 15 2021.
Main Photo: Daniel Bartel – USA Today Sports
