Former Viking Could Rejoin Team Soon
The Minnesota Vikings have five running backs on the current 91-man roster, and the tally could soon rise to six.
Former Viking Could Rejoin Team Soon
That’s the word from Pioneer Press this weekend, a St. Paul newspaper that claimed running back Cam Akers could rejoin the purple team this summer.
Akers played for the Vikings in 2023 before tearing his Achilles tendon in a contest at the Atlanta Falcons — the Josh Dobbs Game, as known by the team’s fans.
Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters wrote Sunday, “If running back Cam Akers, recovering from Achilles surgery last November, passes an upcoming physical, look for the free agent to re-sign with the Vikings.”
For context, these are Minnesota RBs as of June 30th:
- Aaron Jones
- Ty Chandler
- Kene Nwangwu
- DeWayne McBride
- Myles Gaskin
The club has no clear-cut RB3. Accordingly, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could re-sign Akers if Walters is correct. The price would be small, the risk low. Assuming his return to health is afoot, adding Akers back as RB3 hedges the bet against injury to Jones and Chandler. And that’s the knock on Jones at this stage of his career — injury. When Jones is healthy, he’s marvelous, but he didn’t fire up a full season in 2023.
Akers joined Minnesota via trade in September, a complementary piece to the Vikings’ running backs behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler Chandler. All told, he tabulated 49 touches for 208 yards from scrimmage. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Akers after the November Achilles tear, “Cam has been phenomenal in our locker room, on the field, with our team. He’s enjoyed being a part of this.”
The Vikings 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 adding depth cannot hurt.
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.
When the offseason began, Akers hinted that he wanted to return to Minnesota, too. A prominent Vikings-themed account on Instagram, Vikes Verified, posed the question in January, “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 Instagram post and replied, “I think so.” Of course, that was five months ago, but the intent was there.
Akers also posted a video in May of himself working out in Eagan at Vikings headquarters.
You should put Akers back in purple on your summer bingo boards. Pioneer Press is on to something.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.