When Alexander Mattison first entered the league as a promising third-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, the expectations were high. With the departure of longtime lead back Dalvin Cook, Mattison was seen as the heir apparent. However, despite being given multiple opportunities to showcase his talent, he failed to live up to the hype.
During his time with the Vikings, Mattison started 13 games last season but managed only 700 yards on the ground without any rushing touchdowns. This lackluster performance is a far cry from what was expected of him when he signed a two-year contract worth up to $7 million. With none of his 180 rushing attempts going for more than 21 yards, it became clear that Mattison was unable to match the explosiveness of his predecessor, Dalvin Cook.
After his underwhelming season, the Vikings decided to part ways with Mattison and elevated veteran Cam Akers to take over the backfield. However, Akers’ season was cut short due to a torn Achilles tendon, leaving the Vikings scrambling to find a replacement. This led to second-year running back Ty Chandler taking over as the starter for the final four games of the regular season, further sidelining Mattison.
Throughout his five seasons with the Vikings, Mattison averaged 4.1 yards per carry while rushing for 2,370 yards on 584 attempts, with only 11 touchdowns to show for it. While he did contribute in the passing game with 100 receptions for 718 yards and six scores, it was clear that his impact was not enough to solidify his position as a starting running back in the NFL.
Now, with a fresh start in Las Vegas, Mattison will have the opportunity to complement Zamir White in the backfield after starter Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency. It remains to be seen whether Mattison can revitalize his career and prove his doubters wrong, or if his time as a promising rookie will forever be overshadowed by his lackluster performances in the NFL.
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