Vikings Playmaker Thinks He’ll Be Back in 2024
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 after newcomer quarterback Josh Dobbs sparked the team’s offense — and then some — in the 2nd Half. Along the way, running back Cam Akers was injured during the contest and missed the season’s remainder.
Vikings Playmaker Thinks He’ll Be Back in 2024
A bittersweet win indeed — that turned out to be the Vikings’ defacto Super Bowl in 2023 — Minnesota would finish 2-6 after Akers’ injury.
Now, Akers is scheduled to hit free agency in March, and Vikings fans have wondered in the last few weeks if he’ll return.
Left up to him, the answer is yes. A prominent Vikings-themed account on Instagram, Vikes Verified, posed the question, “Will the Vikings reach a deal with RB Cam Akers this offseason? Akers showed explosiveness in a minimal role this season, & is still just 24 years old. Coming off a torn Achilles, it appears Cam is progressing much ahead of schedule, which is no surprise after he CAME BACK in just 6 months for the Rams playoff run in 2021- 2022. Not only did he come back, he was a significant piece on that championship team. Would you bring Akers back in 2024?”
Wouldn’t you know it? Akers found his way to the post, and replied, “I think so.”
Here’s a visual:
Meanwhile, Minnesota has these running backs under contract in 2024:
- Alexander Mattison
- Ty Chandler
- Kene Nwangwu
- DeWayne McBride
The club ranked 27th leaguewide per rushing DVOA in 2023, an underwhelming mark after emphasizing ground-game improvement all last offseason. Eyeing 2024, the Vikings will presumably prioritize improvement again in that aspect of the offense, and if Akers gets his wish, he’ll be a part of the RB room.
Akers joined Minnesota via trade in September, a complementary piece to the Vikings’ running backs behind Mattison and Chandler. All told, he tabulated 49 touches for 208 yards from scrimmage. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Akers after the Achilles tear, “Cam has been phenomenal in our locker room, on the field, with our team. He’s enjoyed being a part of this.”
If the Vikings don’t re-up with Akers, oodles of more expensive halfbacks will be available on the open market, including Saquon Barkley, JK Dobbins, Austin Ekeler, Antonio Gibson, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Zack Moss, Tony Pollard, and D’Andre Swift, among others.
Rookie runners Jonathon Brooks (Texas), Blake Corum (Michigan), Trey Benson (Florida State), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Bucky Irving (Oregon), and Donovan Edwards (Michigan) could also draw Minnesota’s interest in the 2024 NFL Draft.
If a reunion for Akers in Minnesota materializes, the price will be affordable, which could be music to the Vikings’ ears.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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