NFL Rumors: Alexander Mattison, Raiders Agree to Contract After Josh Jacobs Exit

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison has agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

The Vikings informed Mattison he would be released in February. He had spent the first five seasons of his career in Minnesota.

Mattison was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 2019 draft out of Boise State. He spent the first four seasons of his career as a backup to Dalvin Cook and took over as the starter in 2023 after Cook was released prior to the start of the campaign.

In 16 games last season, Mattison rushed for 700 yards on 180 carries and didn't record a single touchdown on the ground. He also caught 30 passes for 192 yards and three scores.

Through his first four seasons in Minnesota, Mattison rushed for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns in 59 games. He also caught 70 passes for 526 yards and three scores.

Now with the Raiders, Mattison will join a running back room that includes Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah. He'll likely serve as the franchise's starting running back in an offense that includes Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams.

Mattison was first linked to the Raiders on March 18 when Schultz reported that he was visiting with the franchise as an option to replace Josh Jacobs, who signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.

Mattison is certainly a downgrade from Jacobs, but the Raiders didn't have many options at the position after most starting-caliber running backs came off the board in the opening days of free agency.

As for the Vikings, Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu remain the top running backs on the roster. Jones signed with Minnesota after seven seasons with the Packers and is replacing Mattison as the franchise's RB1.