Alexander Mattison Copied Everything About Dalvin Cook To Troll Him
Dalvin Cook, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason, joined Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, meaning Vikings backup running back Alexander Mattison is now set to be starter, and he’s been doing what he can to imitate his former Pro Bowl teammate.
In a Pardon My Take podcast interview, Big Cat asked Dalvin Cook if Mattison began growing his dreadlocks for when he would eventually take over as the starter, creating a sense of Cook’s continued presence within the team.
“He [Mattison] was already growing his dreads out when he first got to Minnesota,” Cook said. This is how funny this man is, I love him man. He’s like my little brother. But he started to dress like me. He would come to my locker to see what I got on, he would do it on purpose.“
Cook then told a hilarious story about a mix-up that happened between the two running backs.
“Two years ago during training camp, somebody had put me on the cover of a magazine. I’m looking at the cover and I see that it’s not me. It says ‘Dalvin Cook’ but it’s him [Mattison] on the cover. So we went to the lady and we told her that’s not me, that’s Alex. She felt so bad.”
Mattison has backed up Cook since 2019, and will finally get his chance as a starting running back in the NFL. Back in March, the Vikings signed Mattison to a two-year, $7 million deal that will keep him on the team until 2025.
It’s a huge chance for Mattison to prove that he belongs as a starter on the team, and it’s not a huge gamble for the team for the amount of money they’re paying the fifth-year Boise State product.
“I think he’s proven it over his career that when he’s gotten opportunities, he’s been a very productive back,” Wes Phillips, Minnesota’s offensive coordinator, said. “He always knows what to do. He’s very intelligent as far as our scheme, our system, pass protection, and then he’s a talented back when he’s running. Always going forward. He’s got more wiggle than I think some people give him credit for.“
It’s hard to produce when you’re behind a guy like Dalvin Cook, but Mattison has done all he can with his opportunities. Mattison had three straight years of 400-yard rushing seasons from 2019-2021. Over that time, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry. However, Cook didn’t miss any time in 2022, so Mattison’s production dropped slightly.
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