The Vikings backfield struggled in 2023, how will they improve it next year?
This is the second installment of the Future of the Vikings series. This time, we examine the
running backs, a group that underperformed in 2023. Is there space for renovation in the house?
Do they need to search somewhere else? Now let’s get started
Mattison, Alexander
The Vikings made Mattison the starting running back when they signed him to a two-year, $7
million contract early in the offseason, signalling their intention to let go of Dalvin Cook. Out of
those two moves, one proved to be successful.
Among starting running backs, he ended with the second-lowest PFF grade after gaining 700 yards
on 180 carries (3.9 YPA). With just 30 receptions for 192 yards and the greatest proportion of
dropped passes of any running back in the NFL, Mattison was essentially ineffective in the passing
game. Regarding whether Mattison’s problems are due to blocking, NFLNextGen stats’ Rushing
Yards Over Expected indicates that Mattison is earning minus-0.25 yards per carry as opposed to
what would have been anticipated of him given the blocking. That ranked fifteenth in the NFL. Ty
Chandler was receiving the majority of carries by the end of the season.
Mattison’s contract expires in 2024. The majority of his $4.6 million cap charge, should the Vikings
cut him, would be dead money. Mattison has shown himself to be a reliable rotational player and
spot starter, but trying to carry the entire running game on him was too much.
Ty Chandler
Chandler’s 2023 season was mostly characterised by the question, “Why didn’t they play him
sooner?” The Vikings’ lone 100-yard game of the season came from the 2022 fifth-round pick, who
ignited the rushing offence late in the season when he began against Cincinnati and gained 132
yards on 23 attempts. More toughness and burst than one might anticipate from a man who ran a
4.38 40-yard sprint were displayed by him. Chandler gained 461 yards overall on 102 carries and 21
receptions for 159 yards. He received a PFF rating of 76.3 (out of 100) for the fundamental
statistics, which is around 15 points better than Mattison’s.
The Vikings’ reasoning for not playing Chandler more was that he needed to be ready to handle the
entire offense, including pass protection. Indeed, it was a significant issue when he did get in the
game. Per PFF, he allowed nine pressures, four of which were sacks, on just 62 pass blocking snaps
and graded 40th of 57 RBs.
Chandler is on his rookie contract for two more seasons and should be in consideration for taking
on the full-time RB1 position next year. However, he shouldn’t be the only answer the Vikings have
in the backfield.
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