The Los Angeles Rams have traded Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings Rams announced on Thursday. The trade comes three days after it was initially reported that Akers was on the trading block. Akers was inactive Sunday for the Rams’ 30-23 Week 2 loss to the 49ers. As part of the deal, the Rams will receive a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026 and the Vikings will receive a conditional seventh-round pick in 2027.
On Monday, head coach Sean McVay confirmed Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer’s report by telling reporters that general manager Les Snead had spoken to a few teams about Akers, according to The Athletic.
“I felt like this was the best thing for our football team,” McVay said, via NFL.com. “Felt like Kyren [Williams] gave us the best opportunity and what Ronnie (Rivers) and Royce (Freeman) had done, so that was the decision I made.”
A former second-round pick, Akers helped the Rams win the Super Bowl in his second season after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury he suffered over the summer. Last year, he rushed for a career-high 786 yards and seven touchdowns despite asking for a trade in the first half of the season. Akers had just 29 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries during the Rams’ Week 1 loss to the Seahawks.
“I have a lot of respect for Cam Akers, but I had a feel for our football team today and in this game, and as we moved forward, it was the best decision for us,” McVay added.
In Minnesota, Akers will join a Vikings rushing attack that has been last in the NFL for two weeks. Akers will reunite with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the Rams’ offensive coordinator during Akers’ first two seasons.
How did each team manage to survive the trade that sent Akers to Minnesota:
Vikings: B
Praise the Vikings for actively trying to improve their situation at running back. After two weeks, it was clear they needed something to boost their ground game, and in Akers, the Vikings have a former second-round pick who is familiar with O’Connell. Minnesota received additional credit for acquiring Akers at minimal cost.
Akers wasn’t elite, but when healthy he was a more than capable starter for the Rams. That could just be enough for the Vikings, who are currently 0-2 heading into Sunday’s game against the also winless Chargers.
Rams: C
Sure, the Rams like Kyren Williams and given his performance in Week 1, it wasn’t as if Akers would play a key role on offense. But the fact that the Rams barely got anything in return for Akers isn’t great, especially considering they’ve reportedly spoken to multiple teams about him.
However, the Rams really had no influence in this situation. They wanted to trade Akers, other teams knew that and probably weren’t willing to give up much. They didn’t get much in return, but the fact that the Rams got something for a player who averaged 1.3 yards per carry in Week 1 is something.