The Los Angeles Rams have completed a trade deal sending running back Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings, as reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero and confirmed by the teams, per NFL.com. This trade involves conditional draft picks in 2026, with the Rams acquiring a conditional sixth-round pick from the Vikings while sending Akers and a conditional seventh-round pick to Minnesota.
Akers’ journey with the Los Angeles Rams has been marked by ups and downs. The former second-round pick showcased his talent by averaging 4.3 yards per carry during his rookie season in 2020. However, he faced adversity in 2021, playing only one regular-season game due to an Achilles injury sustained during offseason activities. His return to the field in the same season after such a significant injury was a remarkable feat. After helping the Rams secure a Super Bowl victory, Akers expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the team’s offense in 2022.
Trade discussions involving Akers arose when he temporarily stepped away from the team while awaiting a decision on his future. Ultimately, the Rams decided to retain him last year, and he returned to deliver some outstanding performances during the latter part of the 2022 season. However, Akers struggled to maintain his momentum into the 2023 season. In the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, backup running back Kyren Williams outperformed Akers. Sensing that he might lose playing time to Williams in the upcoming weeks, Akers and the Rams coaching staff found themselves at odds.
As a result of this discord, Coach Sean McVay made the decision to sideline Akers for Week 2, designating him as a healthy scratch in the Rams’ subsequent loss to the San Francisco 49ers, effectively sealing his fate in Los Angeles.
Cam Akers is now headed to Minnesota, where he hopes to secure a more prominent role in Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme. The Vikings have struggled on the ground, accumulating just 69 rushing yards in two games, primarily led by Alexander Mattison. Akers’ addition to the Vikings’ roster is anticipated to provide additional strength to their running game.
