Running back Alexander Mattison agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, the team announced.
In Las Vegas, Mattison will complement Zamir White in the backfield after starter Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Mattison, 25, was abruptly released by the Vikings on March 4 after he failed to hold down the starting running back job following the departure of longtime lead back Dalvin Cook.
The 2019 third-round pick spent four seasons as Cook’s backup before signing a two-year contract worth up to $7 million last March. The Vikings released Cook and elevated Mattison, hoping he could provide strong inside running even if he couldn’t match Cook’s explosiveness.
Mattison started 13 games last season but managed only 700 yards on the ground without any rushing touchdowns. Of his 180 attempts, none was for more than 21 yards. He did catch three touchdown passes.
The Vikings acquired veteran Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams after two games and were increasing his workload until he suffered a torn Achilles tendon Nov. 5. Ultimately, second-year running back Ty Chandler replaced Mattison in the starting lineup for the final four games of the regular season.
In his five seasons with the Vikings, Mattison averaged 4.1 yards per carry while rushing for 2,370 yards on 584 attempts, with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 100 passes for 718 yards and another six scores.
ESPN staff writers Jeremy Fowler and Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
Source: www.espn.com