The Facts: The Vikings guaranteed $6.35 million of Mattison's new contract this offseason and released Dalvin Cook before minicamp after weeks of unsuccessful efforts to find a suitable trade for the four-time Pro Bowler. But by that point, the move to a group backfield with Mattison in the top role seemed inevitable. OC Wes Phillips didn't seem to have many doubts about what Mattison can do as the primary back. "I think he's proven it over his career, when he's gotten opportunities, and he's been very productive," Phillips said. "He just always knows what he's going to do. And then he's a talented back when he's running forward. He's got more wiggle than I think some people give him credit for. There's a lot of times where the free guy in the hole, the eighth guy, he made him miss last year, and then he made some plays in the passing game as well. So it was kind of a no-brainer for us to get Alex back."

Diehards Line: Cook carried at least 249 times in each of the past four seasons. According to Star-Tribune staffer Ben Goessling, Mattison might not see that heavy of a workload in a backfield where second-year man Ty Chandler figures to play a larger role and Kene Nwangwu could be more involved than he was in his first two seasons. More than one-quarter of the Vikings' rushing attempts went for no gain or lost yardage last season, and HC Kevin O'Connell spoke frequently throughout the offseason about his hopes for a more efficient run game. If the Vikings can gain positive yardage more consistently, they hope they'll put quarterback Kirk Cousins in more favorable third-down situations and keep him out of pressure. Mattison posted better efficiency numbers than Cook did a year ago, and even if the Vikings might miss Cook's ability to create the kinds of big plays that helped spark comeback wins against the Bills and Colts last year, Phillips surmised Thursday that the team can be just as productive if it is more consistent. In an offense featuring Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and (hopefully) Jordan Addison, efficiency might be enough.