Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Cam Akers (22) smiles after a play during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports.
Three weeks before the NFL’s formal deadline, the Minnesota Vikings kicked off 2024 regular season trade business on Tuesday, a rather busy transaction day in the NFL.
The New York Jets added wide receiver Davante Adams. The Buffalo Bills acquired wideout Amari Cooper. And the Vikings re-welcomed running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans. For a second consecutive year, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah onboarded Akers via midseason trade.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Tuesday, five days before the Vikings host the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium: “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.”
The move should be considered RB insurance for Minnesota, a club now showcasing this RB room:
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling added context to the deal via tweet, “The Vikings have made exactly the same trade for Cam Akers, with two different teams, in a 13-month span. Last year’s deal with the Rams was the same as today’s with the Texans: Vikings sent a conditional 2026 6th-rounder, in exchange for Akers and a conditional 2026 7th.”
With the conditional 7th-Rounder coming Minnesota’s way, the trade is close to free — just like last year.
Playing the New York Jets in Week 5, Aaron Jones injured his hip, and although the ailment is not believed to be serious, the Vikings interpreted the setback as a wake-up call. Minnesota’s offense resembled a turtle retreating to its shell after Jones’ sidelining, so adding Akers for depth is a contingency plan. Jones will be 30 in December, and old running backs get hurt. Plain and simple.
The Vikings’ coaching staff loved Akers last year and, in fact, many though he’d re-sign with the purple team this summer. ESPN even reported on its Transactions Page that Akers had re-signed, pending a physical.
Akers is only averaging 3.7 yards per touch in Houston — a paltry figure compared to Jones’ 5.9 in Minnesota. However, the club must have faith that it can unlock Akers’ fullest potential.
Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah still has 20 days to make more trades. The team could possibly use some cornerback depth or an upgrade at defensive tackle, for example.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.