Former Minnesota Vikings starting running back Alexander Mattison is hunting a new home in the NFL, and he could find one inside the NFC North Division.
The Chicago Bears were quasi-candidates to make a major move in the running back room this offseason, but it turns out that head coach Ben Johnson and company were more than happy to run it back with the two-headed tandem of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
However, Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron predicted this week that Mattison will join the ranks of the position group in Chicago as RB3.
“We know Swift and Monangai will get the load at RB. We know that [Roschon] Johnson will be a special teams player, especially with Travis Homer going elsewhere,” Zimmerman wrote. “But the [Ben] Johnson regime hasn’t seemed too interested in Roschan as an RB. I think they will want to add a cheap veteran here. Mattison missed last season due to a neck injury he suffered in the preseason and wants to play this year, and would be a good RB3 option for Chicago.”
Alexander Mattison Was Solid Rotation RB for Vikings, Raiders Before Neck Injury
GettyRunning back Alexander Mattison, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings.
Mattison took over as the Vikings’ starting running back in 2023 after the team parted ways with Dalvin Cook.
Mattison played in 16 games that season, starting 13 of them. He tallied 700 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry, adding 30 receptions for 192 yards and three TDs through the air.
Minnesota moved on to Aaron Jones in 2024, while Mattison joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal for $2 million.
He played in 14 contests with that organization, starting seven of those. He produced 420 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 3.2 yards per haul along with 36 catches for 294 yards and one score.
Mattison will play next season at 28 years old, should he catch on with a team. His projected market value in 2026 is $1.4 million.
Vikings RB Room in Flux With Return of Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason Plus Addition in NFL Draft
GettyRunning back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones is back in Minnesota for the upcoming season on a restructured contract worth $5.56 million.
Jordan Mason will again complement him in the backfield, as the tandem handled most of the workload f0r the franchise in 2025.
Minnesota added to the position group during last weekend’s draft, selecting Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest in the sixth round with the No. 198 overall pick.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN outlined the move following the conclusion of the proceedings on Saturday.
The Vikings have been very interested in adding an explosive element to their backfield, which entering the draft included veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. They inquired about Travis Etienne Jr. early in free agency before bowing out as the bidding got high.
Claiborne ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and would add a different element to the backfield if he can get onto the field. As the Vikings navigate their quarterback competition, they would love to have the ability to make big plays in the running game.
Vikings’ Recent Starting RB Expected to Join Rival Bears