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Running back Alexander Mattison agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, the team announced.
In Las Vegas, Mattison will complement Zamir White in the backfield after starter 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 starting running back job following the departure of veteran running back Dalvin Cook.
The 2019 third-round pick spent four seasons as Cook’s backup before signing a two-year deal worth up to $7 million last March. The Vikings released Cook and elevated Mattison, hoping he could provide strong inside running even if he couldn’t match Cook’s explosiveness.
Mattison started 13 games last season but managed just 700 rushing yards with no rushing touchdowns. Of his 180 attempts, none were longer than 21 yards. He caught three touchdown passes.
The Vikings acquired veteran Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams after two games and increased his workload until he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on November 5. Ultimately, second-year running back Ty Chandler replaced Mattison in the starting lineup for the final four games. of 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 other scores.
ESPN writers Jeremy Fowler and Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.