Questions Answered: The Cam Akers Stuff, NFC North Likelihood, 2023 vs. 2024

Dustin Baker |

Jul 2, 2024

Cam Akers Transition — Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) catches a pass in the second half as Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) closes in to defend at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the July 2nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Questions Answered: The Cam Akers Stuff, NFC North Likelihood, 2023 vs. 2024

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

Sep 13, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Family members of George Floyd stand at the gjallarhorn before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Q: If the Cam Akers reports are true, do you believe it’s a smart move for the Vikings?

Oct 29, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97), linebacker Rashan Gary and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (59) in the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports

Answer: Absolutely.

Assuming his return to health is afoot, adding Akers back as RB3 hedges the bet against injury to Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. And the knock on Jones at this stage of his career is injury. When Jones is healthy, he’s marvelous, but he didn’t fire up a full season in 2023.

Minnesota is in this spot — possibly needing an RB3 — because it did not draft any halfbacks in April, nor did the franchise sign any from undrafted free agency. It’s evidently content with the current fivesome, especially because Jones and Chandler are on tap to receive the bulk of carries.

We hope the Akers deal goes through because he’ll be affordable and provide roster depth behind an “old” RB1 in Aaron Jones.

Q: Do you see any scenario whatsoever where the Vikings can win the NFC North?

Significant Week 18 — Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) on the sidelines before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.

Answer: No, not really.

Perhaps if this exact roster was battling the NFC North teams of 2022, the sky could be the limit. But the NFC North got in a big damn hurry, transforming itself into one of the best divisions in football, at least on paper.

We believe Minnesota will win seven or eight games in 2024, and if everything happens in a rosier way, maybe 11 wins as the absolute ceiling. Eleven wins may not be enough for the division crown, with Detroit and Green Bay trending upward so quickly.

Seven or eight wins with no NFC North flirtation, unfortunately.

Q: Can the Vikings 2024 Vikings be better than the 2023 Vikings?

pundits — Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports | Nov 18, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) on the field against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.

A: Definitely!

The easiest way for the Vikings to improve in 2024 from 2023 is to flip the turnover ratio. Minnesota ranked 31st in the NFL last season per giveaways, and that stat alone might’ve been the franchise’s undoing. Fumbles drowned box scores, especially at the start of the season and later when Joshua Dobbs took over.

Many of Minnesota’s turnovers were strange or merely bad luck, so it’s unlikely that the problem will plague the franchise again in 2024. In fact, the Vikings’ turnover stats were quite splendid in 2022, Kevin O’Connell’s first year on the job.

With the regular season less than 10 weeks away, remember this stat:

Vikings’ Record under Kevin O’Connell,
Breaking Even or Winning Turnover Battle:

17-0

Vikings’ Record under Kevin O’Connell,
Losing Turnover Battle:

3-14

Also Read:
Former Viking Could Rejoin Team Soon

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 MIN 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.

By Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker