In the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 1 win, veteran Cam Akers was the team’s starter at running back but only managed a disappointing 29 yards on 22 carries while second-year back Kyren Williams finished with 52 yards on 15 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Apparently, that was all head coach Sean McVay needed to see as Akers was made inactive for the team’s Week 2 contest against the San Francisco 49ers with Williams taking over as starter.
Williams continued to impress against a 49ers defense considered to be one of the best in the NFL as he totaled 100 scrimmage yards and two more touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving in the competitive loss. Many wondered why Akers was deemed inactive as even if Williams was to take over as the starter, Akers could spell him some as a backup, and McVay answered that question.
“Coaches decision,” McVay said after the contest. “(I) felt like that was best for our football team. I felt like Kyren gave us the best opportunity and what Ronnie and Royce have done… So that was a decision that I made.”
McVay was also quick to shut down any thoughts of this being another situation between the two like last year. “No, this is different. This is different thing,” the Rams head coach added. It’s more about I’m always going to make decisions that I think are in the best interest of our football team.
“I have tremendous respect for Cam Akers, but I felt like for our football team today and in this game and as we move forward, that was going to be the best decision for us.”
McVay believes Williams gives the Rams the best chance at success and there is nothing more to the decision than that. And now it looks as if Akers could be on the move as McVay stated on Monday that trade talks are ongoing.
“I don’t have any updates, but I know (General Manager) Les (Snead) has talked to a handful of teams and worked with (Sports Agent) David Mulugheta and seeing if there’s some interest for him out there and that’s the direction that we’re headed.”
McVay added that unlike last year, he doesn’t see a possibility of Akers returning to the Rams if they are unable to trade him.
“That won’t be an opportunity. It’ll be an opportunity to be able to move…I feel good about the opportunity to be able to move him, but we won’t go back and forth on it.”
However, McVay concluded that releasing Akers in not something that’s on the table.
“I want to be careful to put the cart before the horse, but what I feel good about is a dialogue between myself and him, (General Manager) Les (Snead) and (Sports Agent) David Mulugheta and so that won’t be something that is an option. That’s correct.”
McVay noted that he and Akers have had great communication throughout this so there seems to be no bad blood and the two are on the same page moving forward. After some contentious times during the 2022 season, Akers was able to return to the team and make an impact. Even if his time now is done with the Rams, he was still a big part of the team’s Super Bowl two years ago and will always have that great moment.
