DONE DEAL: Vikings Sign $5 Million Veteran RB Ahead of 2024 Season
The Minnesota Vikings running game could use some improvements in 2024, but for now, they’re opting for continuity in the running back room by bringing back veteran Myles Gaskin.
Gaskin signed a reserve/futures contract with the Vikings on January 9, joining 10 other Vikings players who signed similar contracts.
Players who have signed reserve/future contracts are restricted from negotiating with other teams, helping NFL teams secure the bottom half of their 90-man roster come spring OTAs and minicamps.
Gaskin appeared in two games for the Vikings, exclusively on special teams and as an emergency backup running back. He finished the season finished the year on the practice squad. A former seventh-round pick by the Miami Dolphins, Gaskin also played a game for the Los Angeles Rams last season.
He has made 17 starts in his career, tallying 361 career carries for 1,355 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 101 receptions for 701 yards and six touchdowns receiving. He’s earned $5.1 million in five seasons in the league.
The Vikings have retained 11 members of their 2023 practice squad after the team finished their season 7-10 following a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Here’s a list of all players currently on reserve/future contracts with the Vikings:
RB Myles Gaskin
WR Trishton Jackson
WR N’Keal Harry
WR Thayer Thomas
RB DeWayne McBride
CB Joejuan Williams
CB Jaylin Williams
LB Abraham Beauplan
T Cory Cronk
G Henry Byrd
G Tyrese Robinson
Vikings RB Alexander Mattison Makes History for the Wrong Reasons
After Dalvin Cook declined to take a pay cut last offseason, the Vikings signaled the end of the Cook era in Minnesota by signing Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $6.3 million deal that is nearly fully guaranteed.
It was a clear sign that Mattison would be the No. 1 running back in Minnesota, but he struggled for the majority of the season. Once a reliable between-the-tackles runner who would often fall ahead for extra yardage, Mattison wasn’t the same this season.
He broke the fewest tackles (5) in his career last season despite seeing a career-high 180 carries. His 36 carries per broken tackle was the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL. He is also only the second running back since 2003 to have 180 rushing attempts and not a single rushing touchdown.
Vikings’ Loyalty to Alexander Mattison Will Be Put to the Test Next Season
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has proven loyal to a fault at times.
Even though Ty Chandler’s results from the eye test were sufficient to conclude that he deserved more chances, he supported Mattison for the majority of the season. O’Connell frequently gave up on the running game, demonstrating a lack of faith in it as well.
Chandler’s deficiencies—pass protection primarily—improved over the season, enabling him to declare a greater amount of playing time toward the end of the campaign.
Chandler outscored Mattison 69 to 44 in the final two games for the Vikings.
In the 2024 summer, the running back situation will be important to watch, and the Vikings should aim to improve.
It remains to be seen if it implies Mattison gives way to Chandler or someone else.
