What can the Vikings expect from Alexander Mattison in 2020?
By Dean Jones
Mattison’s contract situation
Alexander Mattison is one season removed from signing a four-year, $3.47 million rookie deal with the Minnesota Vikings. This included an $822,172 signing bonus, $822,172 in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $867,793.
This represents little financial commitment for the cash-strapped franchise at the present time regarding Mattison. He will make $650,000 in base salary during the 2020 season and counts for just $880,543 against the salary cap.
It is clear from his rookie season that Mattison is worth this type of investment. He has more than exceeded expectations so far and if he can take another leap forward this offseason then Minnesota could see even more from the player going forward.
The problem with Mattison’s deal won’t come until 2022, which will be the final year of his deal. If he continues to show signs of being an NFL starter then he is going to want the chance to fight for such an opportunity, either with the Vikings or another team.
Mattison is slated to make $965,000 in base salary in 2022, which is normally the time when players who have performed well look for an extension on their rookie deal. Much will depend on the terms of Dalvin Cook’s extension as to whether the Minnesota Vikings are willing to commit more money to a player at the running back position.
If he performs as he did during his rookie season for the remainder of his deal, there will be plenty of suitors in a trade if Cook is still playing at an elite level by the time this situation arises.