Vikings release RB Alexander Mattison with their ground game still in need of a boost

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison on Monday, with the club continuing to seek solutions to a lagging rushing attack. The Vikings cut four-time Pro Bowl pick Dalvin Cook for cap savings last year and turned the backfield over to Mattison, one of the most popular and respected players in the locker room. Mattison had 25 attempts that went for negative yardage, according to Sportradar data, tied for the ninth most in the NFL, and his average of 3.86 yards per carry ranked 34th among running backs in the league with 100 or more attempts. Chandler had 123 touches for 620 yards from scrimmage last season and will figure heavily into the game plan for 2024, but the Vikings will likely look hard at their options in free agency with numerous accomplished players on the market at the league’s most undervalued skill position.