Running back Alexander Mattison has agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, the team announced.
In Las Vegas, Mattison will complement Zamir White on the defensive line after Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Mattison, 25, was abruptly released by the Vikings on March 4 after he failed to hold down the running back job following the departure of longtime linebacker Dalvin Cook.
The 2019 third-round pick spent four seasons as Cook's backup before signing a two-year contract worth up to $7 million last March. The Vikings released Cook and elevated Mattison, hoping he could provide a solid interior run even if he couldn't match Cook's explosiveness.
Mattison started 13 games last season but managed just 700 yards on the ground without any rushing touchdowns. Of the 180 attempts, none were for more than 21 yards. He caught three touchdown passes.
The Vikings acquired veteran Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams after two games and were increasing his workload until he ruptured his Achilles tendon on November 5. Finally, second year running back Ty Chandler replaced Mattison in the starting lineup for the final four games. From the regular season.
In his five seasons with the Vikings, Mattison averaged 4.1 yards per carry while rushing for 2,370 yards on 584 attempts, with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 100 passes for 718 yards and six more scores.
ESPN staff writers Jeremy Fowler and Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”