Cam Akers Returns to the Minnesota Vikings, GM Adofo-Mensah Confirms
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has officially announced the return of veteran running back Cam Akers to the team. Akers, who spent part of the 2023 season with Minnesota, is back after waiting for a new opportunity since March.
Akers’ journey to this point has been full of both promise and adversity. He first entered the NFL in 2020, selected in the second round of the draft following a stellar collegiate career at Florida State, where he notched 18 touchdowns in his final season. Akers showed flashes of potential during his rookie year, starting several games and amassing 625 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 13 appearances.
His second year was expected to be his breakout campaign, but an Achilles injury during the offseason derailed that hope. Remarkably, he managed to recover in time for the Rams’ playoff push and played a role in their Super Bowl run that year. During those early years, Akers worked under then-offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, who is now the Vikings’ head coach.
However, after O’Connell left the Rams to take over in Minnesota, Akers’ role in Los Angeles began to dwindle. He fell out of favor with head coach Sean McVay, which led to widespread speculation about his future and potential trade scenarios. Despite the tension, Akers managed to produce his most productive NFL season in 2022, recording 786 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
By 2023, his situation in Los Angeles had become untenable. He was barely getting any playing time, which prompted the Vikings to act. Minnesota reunited Akers with O’Connell by acquiring him during the season. Unfortunately, after playing in six games, Akers suffered a second Achilles injury that ended his season prematurely. Despite the injury, he had managed to contribute 297 rushing yards and one touchdown in 12 total games with the Vikings across two stints.
During the last offseason, Akers remained unsigned into July, eventually inking a short-term deal with the Houston Texans. Just five games into the season, the Vikings traded for him once again, seeking depth in the backfield. Now, with his contract with the Texans expired and no team calling in free agency, Minnesota has brought him back into the fold.
At this point in his career, Akers is no longer seen as the explosive running back he once was coming out of college. Two Achilles injuries have undoubtedly impacted his athleticism. However, he still offers value as a dependable third running back. He has solid pass-blocking skills and can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield—traits that remain valuable in a rotation.
The Vikings currently have Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason under contract to lead the backfield. However, the RB3 spot remains unsettled, with younger players like Ty Chandler, Zavier Scott, and Tre Stewart aiming to secure a spot on the roster. Akers, with his experience and affordability, presents a low-risk, steady option to round out the running back room.
Rather than going through the motions of trading for him midseason as they’ve done in the past, the Vikings opted to bring him back early and eliminate the guesswork. While Akers may not be the dynamic rusher he once projected to be, his familiarity with the system, relationship with the coaching staff, and veteran presence make him a valuable addition to Minnesota’s depth chart heading into the new season.
With this move, the Vikings bolster their backfield while providing a familiar environment for Akers to potentially revitalize his career.
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