The Vikings are re-signing running back Alexander Mattison on a two-year, $7 million deal that can get up to $8 million, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. $6.35 million is guaranteed.
Mattison, the Vikings' third-round pick out of Boise State in 2019, spent his rookie contract as the backup to Dalvin Cook. The Vikings' move to bring him back for two more years raises a big question: Will Mattison remain Cook's backup in 2023, or will he finally get an opportunity to see a larger role as part of a cheaper committee?
Cook, who turns 28 in August, has a $14.1 million cap hit this year as part of the five-year extension he signed in 2020. The Miami Dolphins reportedly inquired about Cook's availability but were led to expect that Minnesota wouldn't be trading him, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Dolphins ended up re-signing Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., so they won't be trading for Cook.
The Vikings could keep Cook for another year and release him with minimal dead money next offseason, but do they really plan to spend nearly $20 million on the running back position this season? Giving Mattison the contract they gave him could suggest they plan to explore moving Cook — but not necessarily.
$2 million of Cook's contract is guaranteed for injury, but that's not prohibitive to a possible trade. He had shoulder surgery this offseason, so the Vikings might have to wait until later this offseason to make a deal (in order for Cook to be able to pass a physical for a new team).
In that scenario, the Vikings could roll with a cheaper committee of Mattison and 2022 draft pick Ty Chandler, with a rookie and/or kick returner Kene Nwangwu mixing in as well.
It may depend on the interest they receive in Cook. If they have to wait for his shoulder to heal, will there be any teams who want to take on a big contract for an aging running back, albeit one who has made four consecutive Pro Bowls? If Cook is eventually traded, the Vikings would presumably receive minimal draft compensation in return.
If the interest isn't there — or if the Vikings simply decide to keep their star RB for another year — they could run it back with Cook leading the way and Mattison as (now slightly expensive) backup.
Mattison was selected with the 102nd overall pick in 2019. He's played in 59 games across four years, starting six of them when Cook has missed time. Mattison has 1,670 career rushing yards on 404 carries (4.1 YPC) with 11 touchdowns, plus 526 receiving yards and three more touchdowns through the air. Across 2020 and '21, he had five games with over 100 yards from scrimmage.
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