Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Florida State running back Cam Akers (RB02) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings running back room left plenty to be desired last season. Alexander Mattison quickly proved he wasn’t capable as a starter, and reinforcements were needed. Cam Akers was among them, and he looked great until suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.
The Achilles issue is one that Akers has previously dealt with, and suffering that sort of blow again is anything but positive. However, recent reports suggest that the Vikings will bring him back once he can pass a physical, and that’s a great thing.
Going with a tandem of Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler isn’t a bad decision. That duo could arguably be the most talented set of running backs Kevin O’Connell has had since taking over as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. The former, though, Jones, is an injury risk, and having some depth is hardly a bad thing.
The free agent market is largely barren at this point, and signing another big-name running back doesn’t really make sense. A depth piece to displace Myles Gaskin or push DeWayne McBride to the practice squad is what the Vikings should be targeting. The best option for them is the 2023 version of Akers, but that may no longer exist.
Passing a physical would be a great step for Akers to show he is back and ready to rock. He probably won’t be good to go from Week 1, but that’s not exactly a problem if Jones and Chandler are. Akers stepped in for Minnesota after the season got going last year, and that would be the same sort of insurance he should be expected to provide this time around.
Knowing O’Connell’s offense and having developed a rapport with him in both Los Angeles and Minnesota, the fit is easy to see. The hope is that Akers returns to nearly 100% of what he was previously and finds himself capable of playing without fear. Achilles injuries got both Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins as well last season, and Akers saw firsthand how one of those two worked their way back.
The Vikings didn’t return their veteran quarterback, but it seems they intend to re-sign their veteran running back, which would only advance the talent at the position.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.