Vikings trading Alexander Mattison just became more realistic

Following the retirement of Chris Carson on Tuesday, could the Seattle Seahawks be interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison?

Over the years, there has been a bit of a random pipeline between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks that has resulted in several notable players suiting up for both franchises during their NFL careers. Could Vikings running back Alexander Mattison be the next to leave the Twin Cities for the Pacific Northwest?

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Seahawks running back Chris Carson is being forced into early retirement due to a neck injury that he suffered last season. Carson spent five years in Seattle, and during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he finished with more than 1,300 yards from scrimmage.

With his retirement, the Seahawks’ running back group is now led by Rashaad Penny and rookie Kenneth Walker III. Will Seattle head into the upcoming regular season with these two at the top of their running back depth chart, or will they look to make a trade for another veteran back like Mattison?

An Alexander Mattison trade from the Minnesota Vikings to the Seattle Seahawks makes sense

During Pete Carroll’s tenure as the team’s head coach, some of the most successful running backs for the Seahawks like Carson, Penny, and Marshawn Lynch have been in a similar mold to Mattison.

Under Carroll, Seattle has tended to favor rushers that utilize more of a bruising rushing style while also being able to catch passes out of the backfield. When it comes to Mattison, this is almost a perfect description of his playing style.

Currently, Mattison is expected to open the 2022 season as Minnesota’s No. 2 running back behind Dalvin Cook. However, he wasn’t drafted by the Vikings’ current regime, and the new people in charge might not feel like he is as good a fit for the team’s new offensive scheme as some of their other backs like Kene Nwangwu and rookie Ty Chandler.

Mattison is also in the final year of his contract with Minnesota. So if the Vikings believe that he’s likely going to be gone in 2023 anyways, trading him for a draft pick this summer would be better than getting nothing for him next year.

Minnesota sending Mattison to another team before the regular season, especially the Seahawks, wouldn’t be very shocking, so this is certainly going to be something to keep an eye on during the next few weeks.