Cam Akers’ second annual trading initiative was a success.
A year after Akers and the Rams reached an impasse that led to a trade deadline truce, the Rams have sent Akers to the Vikings, according to multiple reports.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the trade involves a change in 2026 draft picks (not a typo). (Our guess is that the Rams will get a six and the Vikings will get a seven.)
The Rams essentially traded away Akers to get rid of him. The move reunites Akers with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, who was the offensive coordinator in LA for Akers’ first two seasons.
Akers, a second-round pick out of Florida State in 2020, had 625 rushing yards on 145 carries as a rookie. The highlight came on a Thursday night against the Patriots, when Akers rushed for 171 yards on 29 carries in a 24-3 win.
In 2021, he only played in the late season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon before training camp. He had 221 yards in two regular-season games and 172 yards in four postseason games.
Akers finished the 2022 season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. It appeared to lay the groundwork for full reconciliation and a possible recovery in 2023.
Instead, he ran for 29 yards on 22 carries in Week 1, he was inactive in Week 2, and now he’s gone.
Akers will earn $1.45 million in 2023, the final year of his rookie contract.