'Coach's Decision': Sean McVay Speaks On Cam Akers' Healthy Scratch
Earlier this week — he wasn't able to remember exactly when — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford found out he'd be without starting running back Cam Akers.
The Rams made Akers a healthy scratch, and head coach Sean McVay revealed the reason why after their 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday.
"Coach's decision," McVay said. "Felt like that was best for our football team. Felt like Kyren (Williams) gave us the best opportunity and what Ronnie (Rivers) and Royce (Freeman) have done, so that was a decision I made.
"I'm always going to make decisions that are in the best interest of our football team. I have tremendous respect for Cam Akers, but I felt like for our football team today and in this game and as we move forward, that was going to be the best decision for us."
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that the Rams were looking to trade Akers and that they have been searching for offers from other teams. Akers requested a trade last season after disagreeing with his role and usage.
Akers, like most of the public, took to X to express his confusion with the Rams holding him out of Sunday's contest against San Francisco.
"I’m just as confused as everybody else," Akers said in a post. "I’m blessed though."
Akers is now in his fourth season with Los Angeles after being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has 360 carries for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Akers ran for 29 yards on 22 carries, scoring on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Without Akers out there, the Rams ran for 89 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown.
"I think there's going to be an opportunity to see what that looks like moving forward, but it's not going to be a back-and-forth thing," McVay said. "He and I have had great dialogue, and we'll see what happens over the next couple of days."
Stafford said the Rams have always embraced the "next guy's up" mentality regardless of "it's a situation like Cam's" or an injury.
"Love every guy I've ever played with. Love the teammates that I have, Cam included," Stafford said. "It's part of the business, and they have to do whatever they feel is right."
