In a surprising and bold move, the Minnesota Vikings have taken a significant step to address their ongoing rushing woes by acquiring running back Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams. The trade, which is currently pending a physical examination, involves not only the exchange of players but also draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As part of the deal, the Vikings will receive a conditional seventh-round pick from the Rams, while the Rams will acquire a conditional sixth-rounder from the Vikings. This trade adds an intriguing layer of complexity to an already intriguing player exchange.
The Vikings have been grappling with a struggling rushing game in the current NFL season, evident by their league-low 69 rushing yards. This challenging situation emerged after parting ways with their former starting running back, Dalvin Cook, and entrusting the role to longtime backup Alexander Mattison. To exacerbate matters, the Vikings have attempted just 23 carries by their running backs, opting to funnel the majority of their offensive efforts through a passing game that has impressively produced the NFL’s second-most yards, totaling 674.
Despite their potent passing game, the Vikings have faced a rocky start to the season, with a disappointing 0-2 record. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has been vocal about the necessity of enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the running game. This urgency was evident when the team recently signed free agent guard Dalton Risner, with hopes of integrating him into the starting lineup in the near future.
What makes this trade even more compelling is the reunion it signifies. Cam Akers will be rejoining Coach Kevin O’Connell and Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, both of whom were part of the Rams organization during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This familiarity could play a pivotal role in Akers’ transition to the Vikings.
Speaking before the trade announcement, Coach O’Connell expressed his enthusiasm for addressing team issues collectively: “It’s one of the fun parts of the job when you can visually and collectively as a group identify some things and [say], ‘Let’s go fix them. Let’s go try to do them better and see what that looks like.'”
The Vikings’ quest for running back depth began earlier when backup Kene Nwangwu suffered a back injury during training camp, ultimately landing him on injured reserve. They had even hosted free agent Kareem Hunt for a visit in August and secured the services of veteran Myles Gaskin following his release from the Miami Dolphins.
In the initial two games of the season, second-year player Ty Chandler had been serving as Mattison’s backup, yet he had seen only 19 snaps as a running back. With Akers now in the mix, it remains to be seen whether he will replace Chandler on the depth chart or if the Vikings will position him to complement Mattison’s role.
For Cam Akers, this trade marks the conclusion of an uncertain period with the Rams. The decision to deactivate Akers in the previous week’s game was attributed to a “coach’s decision” by Rams Coach Sean McVay, made in the “best interest” of the team. Akers had taken to social media before the Rams’ game against the San Francisco 49ers, expressing his confusion but also his gratitude.
Coach McVay acknowledged the situation, stating, “I feel very good about the clarity that was provided to him on Friday and Saturday, both through he and [agent] David Mulugheta.” McVay emphasized that this situation was different from last season but refrained from delving into specifics.
As this intriguing trade unfolds, NFL enthusiasts will be closely watching to see how Cam Akers’ arrival impacts the Minnesota Vikings’ running game and how both teams fare in the upcoming games.
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