The Minnesota Vikings were likely to make some cuts to create salary cap space but they made a move that wasn’t expected.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings are releasing running back Alexander Mattison and informed him on Thursday.
This is a surprise for many reasons. Mattison signed a two-year deal worth up to $8 million with $6.35 million fully guaranteed. He was set to receive a salary of $3.3 million with a cap hit of $4.6 million. Releasing him only clears $600,000 in salary cap space with $4 million in dead money.
The real question here is whether Mattison has offset language in his contract. That would mean whatever he is paid by another organization ends up coming back to the Vikings in salary cap space. If that ends up being the case, they could recoup up to $2.75 million in cap space with only $1.25 million in dead money.
Mattison struggled in 2023 with 700 yards and no touchdowns at a paltry 3.9 yards per carry. He was essentially replaced by Ty Chandler by the end of the season. The move likely means the Vikings are going to be in the market for a running back.
