What It Means:

Asked about Mattison's role as a primary back, Phillips said "I think he's proven it over his career, when he's gotten opportunities, and he's been very productive, He just always knows what he's going to do. And then he's a talented back when he's running forward. He's got more wiggle than I think some people give him credit for. There's a lot of times where the free guy in the hole, the eighth guy, he made him miss last year, and then he made some plays in the passing game as well. So it was kind of a no-brainer for us to get Alex back." Mattison signed a two-year, $7 million contract in free agency to remain in Minnesota, after which the Vikings release Dalvin Cook.

Mattison's 2023-24 season projection includes 250.31 carries for 1,094.27 rushing yards and 7.84 rushing touchdowns with 30.36 receptions for 198.51 receiving yards and 1.54 receiving touchdowns.