Matt Asiata has agreed to a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced on Wednesday.
His role was greatly diminished in 2015 with the return of Adrian Peterson, but Matt Asiata still wanted to come back to the Vikings. Mr. Asiata has gotten his wish. The Vikings say they have signed the 28-year-old running back to a one-year deal.
Asiata carried the ball 29 times last year for 112 yards, and added 19 receptions for 132 yards. When Peterson was suspended in 2014, Asiata got 164 carries for 570 yards and nine touchdowns, plus 44 receptions for 312 yards and one touchdown.
The Vikings offense in some ways looked better in 2014 with Asiata and Jerick McKinnon rotating at running back than in 2015 with Peterson as the primary back, but Peterson is still in Minnesota and Asiata and McKinnon are still backing him up.
Actually, McKinnon is expected to have a larger role in 2016 after a fine showing late in 2015. Asiata’s role will likely be even smaller than it was last year but he doesn’t seem to mind.
Truth is, Asiata may have trouble sticking with the team in training camp, especially if the Vikings go running back in the draft.
Next: Mike Wallace actually ripped himself
Asiata like a lot of the Vikings’ recent free agent signees is more of an insurance policy than anything. The Vikes plan to have lots of competition going on in camp, and some of these older players are going to get bumped. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.