Familiarity should help Akers' transition with Vikings

Former Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Familiarity should help Cam Akers' transition with Vikings

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/20/23

Only days after the Los Angeles Rams made him a healthy scratch in Week 2, Cam Akers is on the move, traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where the former second-round pick has a chance to thrive due to familiarity.

Luckily for Akers, the adjustment to the Vikings and a new offense shouldn't have that steep a learning curve.

In Minnesota, Akers will reunite head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, who were with the Rams staff during Akers' first two seasons with the team.

#Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and OC Wes Phillips were with Cam Akers in L.A., so he should be up to speed quickly and help Minnesota’s backfield. https://t.co/uFmMkq3Tn6
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 20, 2023

The Vikings believe that the 24-year-old still had potential. Also, Minnesota's rushing attack has struggled without Dalvin Cook, leaving the team searching for answers.

Through two weeks, the Vikings rank last in the NFL with 34.5 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Cook's replacement, Alexander Mattison, has yet to flourish in the Vikings rushing attack like some thought he might, gaining only 62 yards off 19 attempts.

We'll have to wait to see whether Akers is the solution to the Vikings' running back woes. However, from the team's perspective, swapping 2026 picks to get Akers was worth a shot.

A season after the Rams explored trade options for Akers, they finally pulled the trigger on a deal Wednesday, ending the running back's tumultuous run with the franchise.

Selected 52nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Akers never fully lived up to expectations with the Rams, though that wasn't totally under his control.

After a solid rookie campaign, Akers tore his Achilles before the start of training camp, missing 16 games in 2021. Akers bounced back with a career year last season but seemingly fell out of favor again heading into 2023.

Akers rushed for only 29 yards off 22 attempts in the Rams season opener before being deactivated last Sunday. Days later, Akers finds himself on a new team.

With a change of scenery and some familiar faces to greet him, Akers has a unique opportunity to make the most of his fresh start.

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