Vikings' Alexander Mattison informed he'll be cut, source says - ESPN

Running back Alexander Mattison's time with the Minnesota Vikings came to an abrupt and expensive conclusion Thursday, when the team indicated its plans to release him after five seasons on its roster, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.

The decision capped a disappointing year for Mattison and the Vikings. Both sides appeared eager to move on after a season in which Mattison failed to hold down the starting job following the departure of longtime lead back Dalvin Cook.

The Vikings' third-round draft pick in 2019, Mattison spent four seasons as Cook's backup before signing a two-year contract worth up to $7 million last March. The Vikings released Cook later that spring and elevated Mattison, hoping he could provide strong inside running even if he couldn't match Cook's explosiveness.

Mattison started 13 games but managed only 700 rushing yards. None of his 180 carries went for longer than 21 yards, and while he caught three receiving touchdowns, he did not score on the ground. The Vikings acquired veteran Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams after two games and were increasing his workload on a weekly basis before he tore his Achilles tendon on Nov. 5. Ultimately, second-year runner Ty Chandler replaced Mattison in the starting lineup for the final four games of the regular season.

Speaking earlier this week about the team's backfield, coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned Chandler prominently but said that Mattison had contributed in ways that would not be captured by statistics. Still, the Vikings are likely to seek additional depth at the position in free agency and perhaps the draft as well.

«I think the way Ty finished the season was a real positive,» O'Connell said, «and going year two into year three, there