Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has a special bond with his players, and his feelings for running back Cam Akers are no exception.
The two have a relationship dating back to the Los Angeles Rams, when O’Connell was the offensive coordinator when the team picked Akers with the 52nd overall choice in the 2020 draft.
“Cam has something inside him that allowed him to push through the adversity of what’s happened to him over the course of his career,” O’Connell told reporters on December 29. “He loves football, I believe he enjoys being a Minnesota Viking, and he adores his teammates. Cam’s teammates were probably the most excited all season when he scored on that screen and then, obviously, made the late catch.”
Akers admired O’Connell’s warm words.
“It’s a blessing, especially coming from KO, who has witnessed firsthand my journey,” Akers told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on December 30. “It’s a blessing to have a friendly coach like him. I’ll attempt to run through a wall for him any time I get.” “He just brought stuff. Brings physicality, a level of mental and physical tenacity that I believe benefits us all. “We have a lot of examples like that on our team,” O’Connell stated. “But Cam’s just another one of them that I feel very fortunate to have him on this team.”
Akers and Aaron Jones provide the Vikings with a dangerous backfield combo. Jones has missed time this season, so the Vikings have benefited from their depth, with Ty Chandler also available.
Cam Akers Discusses Vikings’ ‘Main Goal’
Akers had 18 yards on six attempts in the Vikings’ Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He also had two receptions for 15 yards and one touchdown.
“Championship football, that’s the easiest way to put it,” Akers told reporters on December 29. “You’ll face difficulty and have to climb hills. But it is what we do. That is the NFL. This team is all about overcoming adversity week after week. So proud of them.
of us. I’m proud of everything we’re doing, and I want to keep doing it. That’s basically the key goal: stack them on top of each other.
“This is probably one of the best team I’ve been on as far as people,” Akers informed the audience. “Obviously, we have outstanding players. But I’ve also met some fantastic people, which I’m grateful for. I’m grateful to be a part of this, and as I have stated, I look forward to next week.”
Akers has run for 379 yards and two touchdowns on 98 carries in 16 games this season.
The Vikings acquired Akers from the Houston Texans between Weeks 6 and 7, after he tore his Achilles twice, once in 2021 and again in 2023. He is on a one-year contract worth $1.2 million.
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