As a number of teams around the NFL wrap up their offseason activities this week, Cam Akers has finally found a home for the upcoming 2025 season, as the former Minnesota Vikings running back signed with the New Orleans Saints on Friday.
For Akers, the Saints are now the fourth different team that he’s been a member of since the start of the 2023 season.
In 2024, he began the season with the Houston Texans. Then, after the Texans’ Week 6 win over the New England Patriots, Akers was traded to Minnesota. In 12 appearances with the Vikings last season, he wound up rushing for 297 yards and one touchdown on 64 carries (4.6 average), and catching 10 passes for 52 yards and another two scores.
How will it take for the Minnesota Vikings to acquire Cam Akers back from the New Orleans Saints next season?
Last season’s trade between Minnesota and Houston wasn’t the first instance of the Vikings making a deal to acquire Akers in the middle of their schedule.
One year prior, Minnesota landed the veteran running back in an early-season deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was familiar with Akers from his time with the Rams in 2020 and 2021 and clearly felt he could make an impact for Minnesota’s offense.
Akers performed solidly for the Vikings in 2023, but his season in purple unfortunately came to an end after just six games when he suffered a torn Achilles in Minnesota’s Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
After rumors floated around during the 2024 offseason that the Vikings wanted to bring Akers back, he wound up signing a contract with the Texans instead. But, of course, he wasn’t in Houston for very long last year before Minnesota came calling back.
So, the question has to be asked. Will Akers actually spend the entire 2025 campaign with the Saints, or will the Vikings make a mid-season trade for him for the third year in a row?
A Journeyman’s Path: Akers’ Winding NFL Career
Cam Akers’ tenure in the NFL has been anything but stable. Since the start of the 2023 season, the Saints mark the fourth team Akers has joined. His journey began with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played under current Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell in 2020 and 2021. In 2023, the Vikings acquired Akers in an early-season trade with the Rams, banking on O’Connell’s familiarity with the running back to bolster their offense. Akers performed admirably in his six games with Minnesota that year, but his season was cut short by a devastating torn Achilles in a Week 9 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Fast forward to 2024, Akers started the season with the Houston Texans. After a Week 6 victory over the New England Patriots, the Vikings swung a trade to bring him back to Minnesota. In 12 appearances with the Vikings last season, Akers rushed for 297 yards and one touchdown on 64 carries (averaging 4.6 yards per carry) while adding 10 receptions for 52 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Despite his solid contributions, the Vikings did not re-sign him in the 2025 offseason, leading to his recent signing with the Saints.
Why Are Vikings Fans Furious?
The news of Akers joining the Saints has left many Vikings fans reeling. For one, Akers had become a fan favorite during his two stints with the team, admired for his hard-running style and versatility. His familiarity with O’Connell’s system made him a valuable asset, and many believed he could have been a key piece in Minnesota’s backfield for 2025. Instead, seeing him sign with a new team—especially one outside the NFC North—feels like a missed opportunity for a franchise that has repeatedly shown interest in him.
Social media posts from Vikings fans reflect the sentiment. One fan wrote on X, “Why didn’t we keep Cam Akers? He was perfect for our system, and now he’s with the Saints? Unbelievable.” Another added, “This is the third time we’ve let Akers slip away. Are we just going to trade for him again in Week 8?” The frustration is palpable, as fans question the team’s decision-making in letting a proven player walk.
What’s Next for Akers and the Vikings?
For now, Akers is set to begin the 2025 season with the Saints, aiming to carve out a role in their backfield. His versatility as a runner and receiver makes him a valuable addition, but his history suggests he may not stay in one place for long. Meanwhile, Vikings fans are left to wonder if their team will once again make a move for the running back who seems to keep slipping through their fingers.
As the 2025 season approaches, one thing is clear: Cam Akers’ NFL journey is far from predictable. Whether he spends the entire year in New Orleans or finds himself back in Minnesota’s purple and gold, his story remains one of the most compelling in the NFL. For now, Vikings fans can only watch and wait, hoping their team doesn’t let this “unthinkable name” get away for good.