Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers had a short quarrel with the team last season, and was nearly traded because of it.
However, the two parties settled their differences and Akers finished with a combined 345 rushing yards and three touchdowns over Los Angeles' final three games. He had only rushed for 441 yards and four touchdowns up until week 16.
Despite ending last season on a high note, Akers is aiming to "prove himself" once again this season, but it's the final year of his rookie contract. The 24-year-old hasn't broken out yet, as he rushed for 625 yards in his first season in 2020 and tore his Achilles that offseason, ending his chance at a sophomore climb.
The lack of extreme production and improvement has made ESPN's Dan Greenspan hypothetically place the running back on the Rams hot seat.
"In this financial environment, (the end of his rookie contract is) enough to put Akers under pressure," Greenspan wrote. "It is magnified because of his frustrating career trajectory so far. There have been brief flashes of a potential dominant back, but he has just nine career games with 15 or more carries."
Greenspan explained that Akers' performance when adding each of those nine ground-and-pound games didn't standout, meaning time is running out for him to improve.
"(Akers) had a combined 789 rushing yards, six touchdowns, a 4.4 yards-per-carry average and four 100-yard performances. If Akers is going to play like a star, and get paid like one, now is the time."
Akers is expected to be the starter and a "central figure" in the Rams offense, but with quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp healthy (by Week 1), it's uncertain how many touches he'll handle.
Nevertheless, the Rams have two other running backs, rookie Zach Evans and second-year Kyren Williams, who have stood out throughout training camp. Should Akers not be a difference-maker this season, Evans and Williams will be patiently waiting for their opportunities.
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