Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is Now Facing a New Temptation
Safe to say that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah sees some value in Cam Akers. After all, the running back has been added in consecutive seasons, both times as an in-season trade acquisition.
If there’s a desire to add the twice-employed runner, Adofo-Mensah won’t need to pull off another trade. He can simply open a roster spot, welcoming Mr. Akers back to town after the Saints decided to move on. Consider the update that Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network offered: “The #Saints released RB Cam Akers, per source.”
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah & The Cam Akers Temptation
Support the young quarterback. So much of what Mr. Adofo-Mensah has done in the 2025 offseason has been about that central goal.
A great starting point for helping J.J. McCarthy acclimate to life in the pros is by building up the running game. So, re-sign Aaron Jones. The former Packer is back and playing on a two-year deal that’s promising to pay $20 million. Supporting the veteran RB1 is Jordan Mason, someone who was acquired in a trade with the 49ers before agreeing to his own two-year deal, one sitting at $10,500,000.
Next up, presumably, is Zavier Scott. The large lad showed promise during the preseason — especially when catching the ball — creating optimism that he could be a nice option as the RB3.
Quite possibly, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is pleased with the three-head monster — Cerberus, perhaps? — that’s in charge of supporting McCarthy.
If not, then maybe there could be a turn toward Cam Akers. He is, after all, only 26 and coming off some reasonably promising football for the Vikings. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 2024, but that’s a number that’s a bit deceiving. His opening five games of the season were with the Texans; in Houston, Akers had a 3.7 yards-per-carry average. He then travelled north, becoming a Viking yet again. In a dozen games, Akers averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Go ahead and add in that Akers did a bit of work as a pass catcher, too. He saw 11 targets turn into 10 catches for 52 yards and 2 scores for Minnesota.
For whatever it’s worth, Cam Akers finished at 19th — yes, 19th — in Comeback Player of the Year voting last year. He missed a good chunk of the 2023 season after an Achilles tear with the Vikings. Note, as well, that he has previously had to overcome injury. The simple fact that he’s still battling to earn a living in the NFL speaks to his determination and work ethic. He’s a tough, resilient guy.
Initially, Cam Akers got his NFL career going as a Ram. While there, Akers crossed paths with Kevin O’Connell. The pair even won a Super Bowl together in 2021. Signing him wouldn’t cost much beyond $1 million, meaning he’s an affordable depth option who comes with the added benefit of already knowing the offense.
Any chance Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is tempted to sign his former runner?
Given that cuts are occurring ahead of tomorrow’s roster deadline, the Vikings news has been arriving at breakneck speed. Get caught up by circling around to some of the work that VT has been offering: the Vikings’ dead money, the Vikings/Packers battle, and the chance to add a new punter. Oh, and Pelissero even tossed Leroy Watson’s name into the trade rumors since Minnesota plans to move on from the backup tackle.
Keep swinging by VT (and check out what’s happening over on PurplePTSD).
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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