Sad news for Minnesota Vikings: He is back

Vikings release RB. Alexander Mattison’s ground game is still in need of improvement.

Minneapolis (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings dismissed running back Alexander Mattison on Monday, as the team continues to look for solutions to its sluggish rushing attack.

Mattison was coming off an underwhelming rookie season as the primary ball carrier, having lost the starting job to Ty Chandler for the final four games. Mattison carried for a career-high 700 yards and scored three receiving touchdowns, but his lack of explosiveness at the line limited his effectiveness.

The move will remove $3.35 million from Minnesota’s salary limit, leaving only $1.25 million in dead money from the two-year, $7 million contract he signed before last season. Last year, the Vikings dismissed four-time Pro Bowl pick Dalvin Cook to save money on the salary cap and handed over the backfield to Mattison, one of the most popular and respected players in the locker room.

According to Sportradar data, Mattison had 25 attempts for negative yardage, which tied for tenth in the NFL, and his average of 3.86 yards per carry ranked 34th among running backs with 100 or more attempts. The 2019 third-round draft pick from Boise State has only one rush for 20 yards or more.

According to Sportradar, Mattison was accused with seven dropped passes and lost a costly fumble in a 21-20 loss to Denver late in the third quarter, with the Vikings leading by nine points and in field-goal range on a new set of downs.

Chandler had 123 touches for 620 yards from scrimmage last season and will play a significant role in the Vikings’ 2024 game plan, but with multiple skilled players on the market at the league’s most undervalued skill position, the Vikings will undoubtedly consider their alternatives in free agency. The draft will provide another opportunity to evaluate their alternatives for improving the backfield.

The Vikings were 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 24th in rushing yards per attempt.