The Vikings Have a New Emergency QB
Three men took snaps under center for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday during a win over the Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer — and running back Cam Akers.
The Minnesota Vikings left London with a victory on Sunday, and along the way, the identity of an emergency quarterback came to light.
Akers delivered a touchdown pass, believe it or not, and thanks to some clarity after the game, Akers informed reporters that he is the emergency quarterback.
Emergency Quarterback for the Vikings? Well, It’s Cam Akers.
Akers is the final contingency plan on Sundays.
Cam Akers Creates Nifty TD Pass to Josh Oliver
With no Aaron Jones in the Vikings’ offense until at least Week 8, Minnesota signed Akers from the free-agent wire, adding him to the practice squad and elevating him to the gameday roster every game since.
In England, after RB1 Jordan Mason suffered an early-game fumble, Akers saw action a bit earlier than normal.
How did Akers respond? Wonderfully. Head coach Kevin O’Connell dusted off a trick play for Akers, inserting him at quarterback, and he promptly tossed a 32-yard touchdown to Josh Oliver. The pass and score enabled Minnesota to keep pace with the Browns after a 1st Quarter Harold Fannin touchdown.
Here’s the footage:
And then that was it for Akers. He did not grab another rushing attempt or passing game target. He fired up a perfect day. One for one. 32 yards. And a touchdown.
By the Way, Akers Is the Official Emergency QB
At the time, because the pass to Oliver worked so flawlessly, fans joked that Akers could be the emergency quarterback.
That turned out to be true.
A reporter asked Akers after the game if he formally filled the role of emergency quarterback on Sunday behind Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. Akers nodded and replied, “Yeah. I had a helmet ready for me with speakers in it, so.”
He added, “Anything on the grass, I can do.”
Let it be known, henceforth, if Minnesota has just two healthy quarterbacks on a gameday, Akers is the third emergency option if both men go down.
No More Desmond Ridder
Why do the Vikings need an emergency quarterback? Fullback C.J. Ham was activated from injured reserve on Sunday after four games on the shelf, and to make room, quarterback Desmond Ridder was the odd man out.
Minnesota had signed Ridder when J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain three weeks ago, and with Ham + Batty back, the veteran passer was expendable.
Akers is the new Ridder, in addition to owning the RB3 title.
Vikings (Rightful) Fascination with Akers
Listen, this brand of Vikings, under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, can’t quit Akers. They just can’t. He fascinates them. He’s reliable. He’s their fluffy blanket in two-year-old-speak.
In 2023, Minnesota traded for Akers in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams. The club didn’t re-sign him in the 2024 offseason. Months later, the Vikings traded for Akers again, this time with the Houston Texans. Unsurprisingly, in the 2025 offseason, they — you guessed it — did not re-sign Akers, as the veteran runner tried on the New Orleans Saints for size.
Akers didn’t make the Saints’ regular season roster, cut later in the summer and sent back to free agency. The first call Minnesota made when Aaron Jones hit injured reserve? Akers, course.
The Offensive Line in Front of Akers
Minnesota decided to get the ball out quickly on Sunday in the passing game against a deadly Browns defensive front — and the plan worked.
Our Janik Eckardt noted on the trenches, “Quarterback Wentz wasn’t always well protected in his third start this season, but he generally had enough time to get rid of the ball. He did a better job at identifying the rush and targeting his first option, while Kevin O’Connell might have drawn up some quicker passing plays. On the ground, the patchwork line helped the club gain nearly 100 rushing yards despite playing against an opponent with a formidable ground defense.”
“The line started with Christian Darrisaw at left tackle, who was taken off the field in the third quarter due to his snap limit. Justin Skule was the other starting tackle, and Walter Rouse replaced Darrisaw. At center, Blake Brandel made his career center debut after years at tackle and guard. Will Fries was the only usual starter who finished the game, and Joe Huber made his NFL debut, playing left guard. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than expected against one of the league’s top fronts.”
Minnesota has promoted Akers from his practice squad role three times. They’ll need to decide whether to sign him to the 53 since they can’t continue bumping him up for games.
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