Cam Akers looked like the running back of the future for the Los Angeles Rams during his rookie season when he displayed powerful burst and tackle-breaking ability.
Following his first year, Akers suffered a major setback when he tore his Achilles and was forced to miss most of the 2021 NFL season. Miraculously, Akers was able to return later that year in a limited role and was poised to resume his status as the team’s lead back.
The running back’s third year was marred by off-field drama, though, as he and the Rams had internal differences that led to him almost getting traded. Despite those issues, the two sides were able to work it out and he had a strong close to the year.
Akers came into the 2023 campaign projected as the lead back but was made inactive hours before their Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. A few days later, Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for draft pick swaps that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the details of:
From The Insiders on #NFLPlus: The #Vikings traded for Cam Akers, so let's take a look at what's next… Also, the conditions of the 2026 conditional pick swap: Akers must combine for 500 yards rushing and receiving for the picks to count. pic.twitter.com/KtLRrLY6oJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2023
Along with Akers, the Rams agreed to swap their 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for the Vikings’ 2026 sixth-rounder. With so much of the regular season left to go, there’s a good chance those swaps convey as long as Akers gets enough looks to gain 500 total scrimmage yards.
For Minnesota, their running game has been almost non-existent with Alexander Mattison as their starter so bringing in Akers gives them another option to trot out should the former continue to struggle. Akers shouldn’t take too long to acclimate to his new team as he is already familiar with Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips during their time in Los Angeles together.
As far as the Rams are concerned, this means that Kyren Williams will be the full-time starter in the backfield with the likes of Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman and Zach Evans spelling him. Williams has looked great in his first two games this year and is poised to handle more responsibility the rest of the way.
Although the compensation isn’t great, it was clear that the Rams and Akers needed to part ways, and now he gets a fresh start in Minnesota.
