The New Orleans Saints have officially signed running back Cam Akers to a one-year deal following his impressive tryout during mandatory minicamp. The 25-year-old athlete has made the most of his opportunity, quickly becoming a star since the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round back in 2020. He will turn 26 in June.
Akers had plenty of talent and flashed it with the Rams in his first three seasons before suffering misfortune. He ruptured his Achilles prior to the 2021 season. He staged an all-time great comeback, powering the Rams’ unlikely playoff run and contributing heavily to their impressive Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2023, Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where he had a second stint on the list after being acquired midseason. After only attending two practice sessions at rookie minicamp, he signed with the Saints. He practiced with big names teammates, including Alvin Kamara, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Kendre Miller, and this year’s rookie sixth-round pick Devin Neal. This trade shows the Saints are serious about adding another experienced back to their rotation.
During his time in the NFL so far, Akers has rushed 502 times for 2,025 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s caught 52 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns. His rookie season was particularly noteworthy as he rushed for 625 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a versatile running back. No one—including himself, as he admits—expected him to put on a transcendent show during the NFC wild-card round. Simmons rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in relief against the Seattle Seahawks.
Saints coach Kellen Moore told reporters he was excited to add Akers to the fold.
“Cam is an experienced player,” – Saints coach Kellen Moore
He further emphasized the importance of evaluating talent across the league, stating:
“He’s done a lot throughout this league. As you go through this, you’re always trying to evaluate as many players as you possibly can. So we felt like it was a great opportunity, and we are fired up that he was wanting to come out here.” – Saints coach Kellen Moore
That’s just what the Saints have done in adding Akers to their roster. They are certainly motivated to increase their attacking prowess as they prepare for next season. His track record of performance and resilience may prove vital in helping the team contend in a competitive league landscape.
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