The Minnesota Vikings made waves in the NFL trade market on Monday, June 9, 2025, by reuniting with a familiar face and Super Bowl champion, running back Cam Akers. The Vikings acquired Akers from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick, receiving a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick in return, as reported by The Daily Norseman via its X account. This move brings back a player who previously thrived under head coach Kevin O’Connell and adds depth to an already stacked running back room.
Cam Akers’ History with the Vikings and Kevin O’Connell
Akers, who will turn 26 later this month, won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021-22 season, when O’Connell served as the team’s offensive coordinator. Following O’Connell’s move to Minnesota as head coach in 2022, Akers joined the Vikings in 2023 for a six-game stint, rushing for 138 yards and one touchdown while adding 11 receptions for 70 yards. In 2024, after starting the season with the Houston Texans, Akers returned to Minnesota for 12 games, accumulating 297 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 10 receptions for 52 yards, and two receiving touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
Over his five-year NFL career, Akers has tallied over 2,400 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns, proving his value as a versatile and productive back. His familiarity with O’Connell’s offensive system makes him a natural fit for the Vikings’ scheme.
Strategic Depth Behind Aaron Jones
The Vikings’ running back room is headlined by starter Aaron Jones, who signed a one-year deal in 2024 after leaving the Green Bay Packers. Jones, now 30, proved his worth last season and secured a two-year, $20 million extension. However, with a history of injuries and his age in mind, Minnesota has managed his workload carefully, making depth at the position critical.
BREAKING: The Vikings have traded a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to the Saints in exchange for Cam Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick. https://t.co/l8KJZOkci9
— The Daily Norseman (@DailyNorseman) June 10, 2025
This offseason, the Vikings also traded a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick swap to the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jordan Mason. The 25-year-old Mason, coming off a career-high 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 2024, is likely to serve as the RB2 behind Jones due to his youth, production, and the draft capital invested.
Akers’ return positions him as a contender for the RB3 role, alongside fourth-year back Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott. Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round pick, saw his role diminish last season, with his carries dropping from 102 in 2023 to just 56 in 2024. The decision to reacquire Akers, combined with the trade for Mason, suggests Chandler’s roster spot could be in jeopardy as training camp looms.
NFL World Reacts to the Trade
The trade for Akers has sparked buzz across the NFL, with fans and analysts noting the Vikings’ savvy move to bolster their backfield with a proven, championship-caliber player. The low cost of a conditional sixth-round pick swap highlights Minnesota’s ability to maximize value while adding a player who knows O’Connell’s system. As the Vikings prepare for the 2025 season, Akers’ return could provide the offensive spark and depth needed to make a deep playoff run.