Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the turf before the game against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Well, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has decided to join the fun.
Per Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network, the Vikings have made a move to bring Cam Akers to town. Kick it over to Pelissero for the word: “Trade! The #Texans are sending RB Cam Akers to the #Vikings, sources say. Houston gets a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick in exchange for Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick. It’s a reunion for Akers and Minnesota, which also traded for him last season.”
Bringing Akers to town makes a ton of sense.
Currently, the prognosis looks positive for Aaron Jones, but he’s a 29-year-old runner with some injuries in his past. Even if his hip gets back to 100% soon, there’s no guarantee that a full season is still ahead. Beefing up the depth appears to be some good insurance.
Pelissero gets around to that topic, explaining, “The #Vikings’ trade for Cam Akers isn’t a reflection of any long-term concerns with RB Aaron Jones, who could play Sunday. Just another quality RB who knows the system going back to his days with Kevin O’Connell in L.A.”
Ben Goessling joins the fun, as well, offering some further clarity on matters. Goessling’s thought: “The #Vikings get Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder in exchange for a 2026 sixth-rounder. They’re confident they dodged any long-term injuries with Aaron Jones, but Akers gives them some running back depth”
Minnesota’s backup runners are Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin. Going into the bye, the lack of production from Chandler was an issue the team needed to solve. It’s possible the speedster could still end up having a fine season, but the Akers add simply ensures that there’s another option should there need to be someone else to carry the football.
At present, Jones is coming in as the 3rd-best runner on PFF, suggesting that things are going well when he’s on the field and carrying the ball. The RB1 is up to 71 carries for 350 yards and a score. He also has 17 receptions for 167 yards and a score.
Minnesota’s going to continue leaning on the former Packer as long as health allows. Now, with that being said, there’s a case to be made for easing the workload a touch in an effort to preserve Jones’ health for the stretch run of the season and (ideally) a playoff push.
Tossing Akers into the mix, who should fit in seamlessly, is one way of helping to ease the burden on Jones and the offense more broadly.
As a Viking in 2023, Mr. Akers had 38 carries for 138 yards and a score. He added on 11 receptions for 70 yards.
He is 25 and was a 2nd-Round selection back in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.