Departed Vikings Skill Guy Earns a Tryout

There was a time not too long ago, folks, when Alexander Mattison was being leaned on to become Minnesota’s next RB1. The plan didn’t work out particularly well.

Currently a free agent, Mr. Mattison is trying to find employment soon. The departed Vikings skill guy could still get a nice merge lane — training camp — to prepare for a bounce back in 2026 if he puts pen to paper soon. Check out the update courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “Houston tried out veteran RBs Hassan Haskins and Alexander Mattison.”

Departed Vikings Runner Gets Chance in HOU

At minimum, DeMeco Ryans is a top-ten NFL coach. Quite possibly, Coach Ryans deserves to be included among the top five. Winning a Super Bowl would fully solidify his reputation as one of the foremost leaders in the NFL.

The skipper down in Houston has done terrific work. Most notably, there’s the gruesome twosome coming off the edge in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. The NFL doesn’t offer a deadlier duo than those guys. Hunter has aged beautifully and Anderson is only surpassed by Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons in ability. Anderson could prove that he’s as good, or better, than any edge rusher in the upcoming season.

Coach Ryans, a defensive tactician, will be leaning on a ferocious defense to lead the Texans. His ambition can get complemented by a robust ground attack.

Safe to say that Alexander Mattison has had a disappointing second half of his career.

Originally, Mattison arrived in the Twin Cities with some optimism as a 3rd-Round selection. He could function as a rock-solid RB2 behind the elegant, gliding Dalvin Cook. Mattison has never been a terrific athlete but he had good straight line speed and had better mitts than most realize.

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Adding all of Mattison’s Vikings stats together involves seeing a runner who finished with 584 carries for 2,370 yards and 11 touchdowns. There were then 100 receptions for 718 yards and 6 scores. The 4.1 yards-per-carry average isn’t particularly inspiring. His normal season featured 132 carries going for 537 yards and 2 or 3 touchdowns. Essentially, a solid RB2, especially since his intangibles (compete, work ethic, etc.) were very high.

Recent seasons have seen him struggle with injury. Alexander Mattison played in fourteen games in Las Vegas in 2024. In 2025, Mattison worked as a Dolphin but didn’t play at all during the season. He’s very unlikely to get anything above the veteran minimum — think something a bit beyond $1 million — since he has produced modestly and is coming off injury.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are desperate for improvement in the ground game.

Veterans Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are competing to work as the RB1. Mr. Jones is a versatile, high-compete player who is respected for his leadership (he’s also just a charming, down-to-earth guy if you ever get the chance to chat, so it’s easy to see why he’s well-liked by essentially everyone). The former Packer has soft hands as a pass catcher and does well in pass pro. He has lost a step, though, as somebody who is on the wrong side of 30.

Mason is young (27) and a physical presence. While he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his athleticism, Mason is mostly in town due to his hulking size. If you get to camp, take a moment to look at Mason and Jones side-by-side. There’s quite the difference. Plus, Mason is a hammer who treats defenders like nails. Minnesota needs more of that physicality.

Otherwise, the top names to know are Demond Claiborne and Max Bredeson. The rookies got chosen during the 2026 NFL Draft, meaning they’ll be employed by the Vikings for the upcoming season.

Alexander Mattison, 28, will look to secure work sooner rather than later as a strong RB3 who could be elevated to RB2 if health allows.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.