Cam Akers signs with new team in free agency

Cam Akers’ tour of the NFC continues.

The New Orleans Saints announced on Friday that they have signed the veteran running back Akers in free agency. Akers has agreed to terms with the Saints on a one-year deal.

A former second-round pick in 2020 (No. 52 overall), Akers spent the first three-and-a-half seasons of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams (including as a member of their Super Bowl-winning team in the 2021 season).

But Akers had his pro development stunted by an Achilles tear suffered in July 2021. The Rams would later draft Kyren Williams in 2022, and Williams’ eventual progression into an All-Pro running back ended up pushing Akers out of Los Angeles.

Akers was causing problems with the Rams towards the end of his time there, and he was ultimately traded to the Minnesota Vikings midway through the 2023 season. Unfortunately though, Akers still has yet to really find his footing ever since then, leaving Minnesota before the 2024 season to sign with the Houston Texans and then eventually getting traded back to the Vikings last October.

Overall last season, Akers managed 444 rushing yards and two touchdowns over 17 combined appearances between his two teams. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking for help on their depth chart behind five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara. Akers will be one of New Orleans’ backup RB options along with Kendre Miller, rookie sixth-round pick Devin Neal, and the former NFL draft bust whom the Saints also took a shot on earlier this offseason.