Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings operating again Cam Akers (27) catches a cross towards Inexperienced Bay Packers within the fourth quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos
As issues stand, the Vikings haven’t re-signed RB Cam Akers. How lengthy can the staff holdout?
The veteran runner is a free agent. Consequently, he’s a mere cellphone name away. New GM Nolan Teasley has already accomplished some work: welcome receivers, present entrance workplace expertise the door, and rent some new prime lieutenants. How about making a transfer for the runner who has been added in 2023, 2024, and 2025? In spite of everything, Akers and Teasley have been in Seattle final 12 months for the Lombardi Trophy.
The Vikings and Cam Akers Appear Inevitable
Final 12 months, Cam Akers tossed a landing cross as a Minnesota Viking. Test it out:
The play’s major ingredient is deception. Akers is lined up in Wildcat, a formation the place the runner takes a direct snap earlier than shortly exhibiting run. Even the fella who finally ends up catching the ball — Josh Oliver — is a part of the deception since he will get tasked with blocking greater than catching.
Watch how the defenders to the highest of the display screen all get sucked up within the early moments of the play. Akers sells run earlier than discovering a large open Oliver. Perfection. Not dangerous for a apply squad runner, eh?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates a primary down reception by operating again Cam Akers (27) late in fourth quarter throughout their soccer recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers Sunday, December 29, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings have been capable of run out the clock following the primary down.
Possibly re-adding a participant with that form of versatility is smart.
Initially, Akers turned a Viking in 2023. Doing so meant providing a late-round decide swap to the Rams to snag the strong veteran. He then was allowed to get away after the season earlier than turning into a commerce goal but once more, being reacquired in 2024 by way of commerce. Twice buying and selling for a similar participant — and in consecutive years — is an odd little bit of trivia.
In 2025, the recipe was a contact completely different, seeing Akers snagged and stashed on the apply squad for a wet day. After the three freebie elevations came about, the Vikings moved on. Akers then went to Seattle. Successful the Tremendous Bowl alongside Nolan Teasley can solely helps Akers’ probabilities of returning to the Twin Cities.
Minnesota’s RB room seems to be as follows:
RB1 Aaron Jones
RB2 Jordan Mason
RB3 Demond Claiborne (Learn Extra)
RB4 Zavier Scott
RB5 Kejon Owens
Increasing the parameters of who qualifies as a operating again would imply looping Max Bredeson into the combo, the rookie fullback who seems able to play an essential function for Minnesota. Not an excessive amount of room for one more runner in that cluster of expertise, people.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings operating again Aaron Jones Sr. (33) celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Detroit Lions within the first quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photos
However whereas Minnesota isn’t planning on needing one other runner, Akers generally finds himself functioning as an damage substitute. At what level does proactively including him turn into the transfer moderately than ready for one thing to go improper?
Signing Akers as a free agent means getting him on a deal that requires solely a (modest) monetary dedication and no draft decide in a commerce.
The 5’10” and 215-pound runner goes to show 27 in June. Akers went within the 2nd of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since received a pair of Tremendous Bowls. He has accomplished so after proving to be fairly resilient, overcoming actually tough accidents to nonetheless discover his means towards serving to groups to win.
His profession has concerned 507 carries for two,044 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a receiver, Akers has tossed up 52 catches for 388 yards and 4 touchdowns. Apart from the Rams and Vikings, Akers has performed for the Seahawks, Saints, and Texans.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Electronic mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
