The Los Angeles Rams and running back Cam Akers have had a rocky relationship over the past year. After being unhappy with his role early last season, he spent some time away from the team as they looked for a trade.
After being unable to trade him ahead of the deadline, the Rams and Akers mended fences and he was their best offensive players down the stretch after taking on a lead role.
The 24-year-old is now in a contract year and all was believed to be good between him and the organization going into this season. He was believed to be the team’s starter, although second-year back Kyren Williams was also expected to emerge as a nice complement.
In Week 1 it was Williams who led the way though as he played 65% of the snaps compared to just 35% for Akers. Williams had 15 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns while Akers carried it more times at 22, but only for 29 yards. He found the end zone as well late in the Rams’ win over the Seattle Seahawks.
It appears Akers is again unhappy though as Fox’s Jay Glazer reported on Sunday morning that he won’t play in Week 2 and is again on the trade block, via NFL reporter Dov Kleiman:
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Rams are making RB Cam Akers deactivated for Week 2 against the #49ers, per @JayGlazer
And coaches believe he's on the trade block and could be traded pic.twitter.com/lyeQ7wt7Is
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2023
There’s been so much positivity surrounding this young Rams team coming off their Week 1 win, so it’s unfortunate to hear that this has been going on behind the scenes.
It’s unlikely that the Rams will be able to get much for Akers in a trade given that he’s in a contract year, but at this point it seems best for both parties to go their separate ways regardless of the compensation.
With Akers not expected to play in Week 2 against the 49ers, Williams will be the clear lead back for the Rams with Ronnie Rivers and Royce Freeman potentially being in the mix.
