The Minnesota Vikings transitioned their running backs room in 2023, but the group struggled to establish and sustain consistent production within games and from week to week.
Alexander Mattison entered his fifth Vikings season ready to replace Dalvin Cook as the starter. Mattison posted a career-high 700 rushing yards but didn’t score a rushing touchdown. He did add three scores through the air as part of his 30 receptions, but he also lost three fumbles after fumbling just twice through his first four seasons (474 touches in 59 games).
Second-year pro Ty Chandler flashed multiple times from the backfield (and on successful fake punts against the Chiefs and Broncos). His role on offense seemed reduced early in the season when he was filling in at kickoff returner while Kene Nwangwu was injured. Once Nwangwu returned to the lineup, Chandler factored more in the offensive game plan.
Veteran Cam Akers was acquired from the Rams through an in-season trade and brought a spark to the group before suffering an Achilles injury in Week 9.
Nwangwu played sparingly on offense (and special teams).
Minnesota implemented fullback C.J. Ham in a variety of ways, but one of his most common was as a third-down back to help with pass protection.
With Alexander Mattison inactive because of injury, Chandler showed up big in his first career start, rushing 23 times for 132 yards (5.7 per carry) in Week 15 at Cincinnati.
His day included a 1-yard rushing touchdown for a 7-3 lead with 2:23 remaining in the first quarter, a 24-yard scurry on first-and-10 from the Minnesota 8-yard line to open the third quarter and breaking free for 30 yards to set up a 1-yard pass from Nick Mullens to Jordan Addison for a 24-17 lead with 3:48 remaining.
The Vikings entered Week 16 with a chance to win the division or control their own playoff destiny, but the gains in the ground game from the previous week did not continue against Detroit.
Minnesota rushed for just 17 yards on 11 carries, a paltry average of 1.5 per attempt that includes one rush for 1 yard by Mullens.
Chandler was limited to 17 yards with a long of 6 on eight rushes, and Mattison netted minus-1 yard on two carries.
Ten of the yards were gained on Chandler’s first four carries, which included a 2-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. He followed with the gain of 6 to open Minnesota’s next possession, but a sack on the next play put Minnesota in third-and-15. The Vikings picked up 13 and opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 at the Detroit 40-yard line, but Mullens was intercepted.
Minnesota Vikings Release RB Alexander Mattison
Alexander Mattison was up first to start the season after a solid training camp, but the run game didn’t seem to hit its stride consistently. Akers added some juice to the group in the middle of the season but is now recovering from the second Achilles injury of his four-season career.
Chandler hit multiple nice runs and showed good hands out of the backfield with 21 receptions on 25 targets. He also did not fumble on any of his 123 touches. At times, however, he was still growing as a pass protector.
Alexander Mattison and Chandler remain under contract, but despite owing him money, the Minnesota Vikings decided to release the 5-year veteran RB on Thursday.
Vikings informed RB Alexander Mattison today that they are releasing him, per source. Mattison took over last season for Dalvin Cook and ran for 700 yards and caught 30 passes. Now he becomes a free agent again, like last year when he signed a two-year deal with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/ez5fvvqGxn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2024
Akers is a pending free agent in 2024. Nwangwu also is under contract. Minnesota signed running backs DeWayne McBride and Myles Gaskin to futures contracts after the season ended. Will either of them compete for snaps, or will the Vikings bring in another back through free agency, the draft or as an undrafted rookie?
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