In a shocking turn of events, Cam Akers is making his way back to familiar territory with the Minnesota Vikings once again. The former second round pick for the L.A. Rams has been traded from the Texans to the Vikings, marking his second stint with the team in just over a year. This move comes with a conditional sixth round pick going to the Texans in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick, continuing the trend of Akers being dealt in trade packages.
It was back in 2020 when the Rams drafted Akers in the second round with high hopes for him to be the successor to Todd Gurley as the team’s running back of the future. However, Akers struggled in his rookie season and suffered a significant setback in 2021 with a torn Achilles that kept him sidelined for most of the year. Despite making a miraculous return for the final game of the season and the playoffs, Akers faced criticism for his performance on the field. There were rumors circulating about his compatibility with head coach Sean McVay and speculations of him being on the trading block in 2022. Nevertheless, the Rams chose to retain Akers for the season but ultimately decided to part ways after just one game in 2023, paving the way for Kyren Williams to step up as the starter.
During his brief tenure with the Vikings last season, Akers managed to rush for 138 yards with an average of 3.6 yards per carry in six games. His performance with Houston this year saw him tally 40 carries for 147 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. The ups and downs of Akers’ career have been a rollercoaster ride for fans and analysts alike, with many questioning his fit with different teams and his ability to deliver consistently on the field.
As Akers embarks on this new chapter with the Vikings, the pressure is on for him to prove his worth and make a lasting impact with his return to familiar territory. Only time will tell if this trade will be a game-changer for both Akers and the Vikings as they strive for success in the upcoming season.
