Who Should I Start? Alexander Mattison or Ty Chandler

Monday, March 18, 6:02 PM

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is signing an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to a source. Mattison is still only 25 years old and recorded 17 touchdowns in his five seasons in Minnesota after they took him in the third round in the 2019 draft out of Boise State. The 25-year-old was a disappointment in 2023 while taking over the lead-back role from Dalvin Cook, though, which is why Mattison was released this offseason. In 16 games (13 starts) last year, Mattison had a career-high 180 carries for 700 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns while adding 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is no longer in Vegas, but Mattison figures to work in a timeshare with Zamir White in his first year in Sin City in 2024.

Friday, March 1, 12:15 AM

After the release of running back Alexander Mattison on Thursday, Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is the team's starter at the position. After the release of Dalvin Cook, Mattison operated as Minnesota's lead back in 2023, taking 180 carries for 700 yards and no rushing touchdowns. Chandler, a former fifth-round pick in 2022, served as a complementary back and saw 102 rushing attempts for 461 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and three rushing scores, adding 21 receptions for 159 additional yards in his second season. The 25-year-old was more efficient than Mattison and should have a bigger role in Minnesota's backfield in 2024, but the Vikings will likely look to add to their RB through the offseason, through either the draft or free agency, or both.