Minnesota Vikings Acquire Cam Akers In Trade With LA Rams

After starting the year with two disappointing losses, the Minnesota Vikings have been busy this week making moves they hope will improve the team moving forward.

On Monday, the team signed veteran guard Dalton Risner to a one-year, $4 million deal, with $2.25 million guaranteed. Risner has signed the contract and he's practicing with the team. That should help upgrade the battered offensive line moving forward.

On Wednesday, the Vikings made another move, one they hope will improve their running game. At the very least, it'll provide quality depth.

Multiple sources are reporting that the Vikings have traded for veteran running back Cam Akers, who was a part of the 2022 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl-winning team. Akers had fallen out of favor with the Rams and he'll now be reunited with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, who was his offensive coordinator in L.A.

According to NFL.com, Akers, a former second-round pick, began his career by averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rookie in 2020, then played in just one regular-season game in 2021 due to an Achilles injury suffered during offseason activities.

Amazingly, he returned that season and contributed to the Rams Super Bowl run and title. However, Akers ultimately became displeased with his role in the Rams offense in 2022 and asked to be traded. A trade never happened and he returned to the Rams in 2023.

He began this season in a disappointing fashion, being outperformed by backup Kyren Williams. That led to the trade to Minnesota, where perhaps a fresh start will get him back on track.

The Vikings backfield, led by Alexander Mattison, has gained just 69 yards on the ground in two games, so it can't hurt to add a veteran into the mix and they're not giving up much to acquire Akers.

The Vikings will send a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to the Rams in exchange for Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, the teams have announced.