The Minnesota Vikings have several important decisions to make during the 2024 NFL off-season. Figuring out what to do with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins is one of those difficult roster decisions that need to be addressed.

The Vikings made a mildly surprising move last Thursday, when running back Alexander Mattison was released from the team was announced. The former Boise State standout spend five seasons with the team, rushing for 2,370 yards, 4.1 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns.

Mattison was given the reigns to the Vikings’ run game when Dalvin Cook left the team during last year’s off-season. However, he only recorded 700 yards in 13 games and failed to separate himself from his explosive teammate and second-year back, Ty Chandler, who would eventually take over the starting role for the final four games of the regular season. Minnesota finished 7-10 and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The Vikings being skeptical that Mattison wouldn’t be able to produce in 2024 after a lackluster 2023 is understandable. However, his release reveals the very, very short leash running backs are on compared to other positions in the NFL. Many young quarterbacks are given several years to prove to their franchise that they are the solution under center. Talented wide receivers like Josh Gordon were given several opportunities to prove their talent can translate long-term on the field, despite on and off-field controversies. 

Mattison was given one season to start. He was disappointing according to most statistical metrics and was subsequently released without much fanfare and a second chance. Part of that comes with the short life-span of running backs – the average career of a player at that position is 2.57 years. The current NFL landscape on offense also caters to downfield threats, favoring wide receivers and tight ends when that unit is on the field. 

Running backs just aren’t given the same number of chances to start and thrive as other positions in the NFL. And with backs out of college being younger, faster, and more talented than ever before, players like Mattison are becoming more and more replaceable, and franchises are realizing that.

Though the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Rams for running back Cam Akers, team personnel insisted Thursday that they were still standing by starter Alexander Mattison. Instead of a replacement, the Vikings reportedly intend to use Akers as a complement to Mattison, giving both struggling runners a shared workload.

“But we haven’t lost confidence in Alex Mattison,” Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips told reporters Thursday. “I will say that. Unfortunately we’ve had a couple turnovers in the run game where we obviously need to clean that up. Everyone’s aware of that. But we still feel very strongly in Alex and [backup Ty Chandler] and those guys being able to go in and produce. We know we have to be better in the run game. A lot of that starts with us, and the players fundamentally. All those things we’ve addressed, and from what I saw [Wednesday] in the first practice, I think it will improve dramatically.”

In two games this season, Mattison has struggled to handle the workload of a bell-cow running back, rushing for 62 yards across two games. Akers has struggled even more, so much so that the Rams kept him off the field in Week 2 in favor of backup Kyren Williams. But the combination of the two backs in Minnesota is intended to give the two snaps that will benefit their strengths.

“That’s not a bad move at all,” Mattison said about the move for Akers. “In any situation, you want to make your team better. With the opportunity to do so, we definitely welcome whatever decision they might make up top. I’m excited to have an addition to the running back room. I think he can definitely add value.”

Phillips, the offensive coordinator, also went on to echo Mattison’s comments that Akers would be a welcome presence in the locker room. He noted that the running back’s skill set could be useful to a Vikings offense which has disappeared at times in two losses to begin the season.

“He’s a downhill runner, a physical back, and he’s got good quickness,” Phillips said. “He’s proven he can catch the ball … we’re just excited to have him in here.”

The Los Angeles Rams traded running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday for a swap of sixth-round draft picks in 2026. Akers began the season with the starting job for Los Angeles but was a healthy scratch in Week 2 as the team quickly turned to backup Kyren Williams.

After ruling Akers inactive ahead of Week 2, head coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that the team was looking for interested trade partners for the former second-round pick out of Florida State. The Vikings, struggling with their own underperforming run game, agreed to terms quickly.

“I think he did a lot of really good things and I think Cam is a quality player,” McVay told reporters Monday. “I think sometimes it boils down to, alright, is it a fit? What are some of the best opportunities based on putting together what you think is the best way to circumvent or be able to organize your team? And so this isn’t an indictment on any individual.”

Akers’ fate may have been sealed after Williams’ performance Sunday against the 49ers, as the 2022 fifth-round pick ran for 54 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught six passes out of the backfield for another 48 yards and a second touchdown. He has now scored four times in two games, despite splitting work in Week 1. In that game against the Seahawks, Akers found the end zone but only ran for 29 yards on 22 carries.

Though the Rams seem to have found their new starting running back, the Vikings are far from certain after a disappointing early start from Alexander Mattison. The longtime backup and replacement for Dalvin Cook, has not yet capitalized on his first opportunity to lead Minnesota’s backfield, rushing for 62 yards across two games. Akers will likely come in to share part of the workload and at least contend with Mattison, who has had very little competition for snaps since the season started.

“I really care a lot about Cam and I’m appreciative of some of the challenging things that we’ve gone through and where we ended up getting to in terms of our relationship and our ability to communicate clearly, which is why it’s kind of tough for me to hear that there is confusion but I know that I’ll wish him nothing but the best,” McVay went on to say Monday. “I think he’s got a lot of ability and that’s really all I want to be able to add on that, but I am grateful for the many contributions that he made over the course of his career as a Ram.”

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were very close to clinching a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. However, it all went wrong during a three-game losing streak that broke the hearts of fans. It was the first time since 2014 that the Vikings missed the playoffs and just the second time under head coach Mike Zimmer.

Despite a heartbreaking season, Minnesota has reasons to be optimistic about the 2021 season, especially after wide receiver Justin Jefferson broke the NFL rookie record for receiving yards with 1,400 and was named to the Pro Bowl.

The Vikings also have one of the most talented duos in the backfield in Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Cook finished second in rushing yards (1,557) and in total touchdowns (17) at the running back position. While the offense will run through Cook, the Vikings also have a solid aerial attack with Jefferson and veteran wideout Adam Thielen.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is still performing at a high enough level to potentially lead this talented team to the postseason.

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Minnesota Vikings Schedule:

• Week 1: Sun 09/12 at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 2: Sun 09/19 at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 3: Sun 09/26 vs Seattle Seahawks
• Week 4: Sun 10/03 vs Cleveland Browns
• Week 5: Sun 10/10 vs Detroit Lions
• Week 6: Sun 10/17 at Carolina Panthers
• Week 7: Sun 10/24 BYE Week
• Week 8: Sun 10/31 vs Dallas Cowboys
• Week 9: Sun 11/07 at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 10: Sun 11/14 at Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 11: Sun 11/21 vs Green Bay Packers
• Week 12: Sun 11/28 at San Francisco 49ers
• Week 13: Sun 12/05 at Detroit Lions
• Week 14: Thu 12/09 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 
• Week 15: Mon 12/20 at Chicago Bears 
• Week 16: Sun 12/26 vs Los Angeles Rams
• Week 17: Sun 1/02 at Green Bay Packers
• Week 18: Sun 01/09 vs Chicago Bears

NFC North: The Vikings have to get through the Packers if they want to win the division. Not only that, but they have to watch out for the Bears, who are on the rise. The Vikings should get two easy wins against the atrocious Lions, but the team’s remaining four games in the division will be tough. If Minnesota can beat Chicago in both meetings, they have a good shot at securing a Wild Card spot.

Matchups: Minnesota has a tough stretch beginning after their Week 7 bye. From Week 8 to Week 11, the Vikings will have to take on the Cowboys, Ravens and Packers. However, things get even tougher towards the end of the season. From Week 14 to Week 18,  Minnesota will only face teams that made the playoffs last year. Over that five-week stretch, the Vikings will suit up against the Steelers, Rams and Packers, as well as the Bears twice. If the Vikings have any shot at the division title, they will need to sweep the Bears and defeat the Packers at least once. If they do all that, they could very well steal the division crown from Green Bay.

Prediction: The Vikings will finish second in the NFC North with a 10-7 record, which will be good enough to clinch a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

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