Yet Again, The Vikings are Positioned to Chase Annual Tradition in 2026
The Vikings have the chance to do something that’s a touch odd, funny, and borderline expected. How else should we understand Cam Akers being employed elsewhere?
In what feels like a lifetime ago, Akers worked alongside Kevin O’Connell with the Rams. The pair helped the team to earn a Lombardi Trophy. As Minnesota’s head coach, O’Connell has brought the runner to town in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Does 2026 follow the same pattern? If so, then everything is coming together as planned.
The Vikings Set Up the Cam Akers Sweepstakes
Rob Brzezinski, the fill-in GM, promised a wise process that was built on restraint and sound decision making. So far, he has delivered.
The external adds have been modest (to the point of flirting with being non-existent). Adding veteran corner James Pierre looks like a good move. Few could quibble with the decision to sign Kyler Murray even if some surely will.
Otherwise, the most notable moves have been to lower the compensation for RB1 Aaron Jones and TE1 T.J. Hockenson. Handing out new paydays to LS Andrew DePaola, LB Eric Wilson, S Tavierre Thomas, and others works toward keeping internal talent, as well.
Nothing too flashy. Instead, some reasonably smart tweaks that solidify the roster. In so doing, the Cam Akers possibility is alive and well.
Handing out major money for a talent like Kenneth Walker III or Travis Etienne may have solidified the position in such as way as to dramatically decrease the odds at needing RB help. Running it back with the same running backs? Well, that could plausibly lead to needing Mr. Akers yet again.
Check out the running back hierarchy:
- RB1 Aaron Jones
- RB2 Jordan Mason
- RB3 Zavier Scott
If that looks familiar, then there’s good reason. That’s the same group as last year. What needs to be remembered is that all are moving into single-season pacts with the Vikings. Jones and Mason are doing so by walking in the final year of their contracts; Scott is doing so as a low-level retention on a single-season deal. Each of Jones and Mason missed time last season due to injury.
The Vikings can have a balanced attack on offense with that group. If, however, the plan breaks down due to injury or underperformance, where does Minnesota turn?
Quite possibly, the adds are still coming. In particular, there’s the 2026 NFL Draft. Opting to pull a young talent out of the event would be wise, which is to say nothing of the undrafted grouping of players.
Throughout all of those possibilities is the chance of Cam Akers, who is the runner who does more than run. He can catch and play specials. Goodness, he can even toss the occasional pass. Lots to like, especially since he knows the O’Connell scheme.
The veteran is with the Seahawks. In fact, he won a Super Bowl as a depth option with the NFC foe. The Vikings would therefore need to pull off a low level trade to get him back. Or, quite possibly, see if he shakes loose later on, leading to a chance to bring him back while unemployed.
The Vikings are moving ahead with Kyler Murray as the clear favorite to play quarterback. As for ground support, the Vikings are offering up the same crew of runners, at least so far.
What could still occur, though, is a move for Mr. Akers, who has been added for three-straight seasons. After all, it’s tradition.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
