Cam Akers Vikings Trade: Rams 'Feel Good' About Kyren Williams-Led RB's Room
The Los Angeles Rams brought an end to the Cam Akers saga Wednesday, trading the former second-round running back to the Minnesota Vikings after three-plus seasons together.
It was a quick shift in philosophy from the Rams, who gave Akers 22 carries in a season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks but saw him gain only 29 yards. He was a healthy scratch the following week, and now, he's off to Minnesota.
In the span of 10 days, Akers went from bell-cow runner to off the team ... and Rams coach Sean McVay is more than happy with the group of running backs he still has, headlined by Kyren Williams and also including Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman and Zach Evans.
“I am very pleased with that running back room," McVay said. "I thought Kyren did a nice job. I think Ronnie Rivers is capable of being able to supplement him a little bit more. Whether it be Royce Freeman or Zach Evans, feel good about that group and (running backs coach) Ron Gould's leadership in that group.”
McVay made sure to note that he's grateful for his time with Akers and wishes him nothing but the best moving forward as he reunites with a number of formers Rams coaches who are now in Minnesota, including Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, among several others.
But McVay's attention is now solely on those still rostered, starting with Williams, who's taken 29 carries for 104 yards and three touchdowns while adding six receptions for 48 yards and another score across two games.
A fifth-round pick in 2022, Williams had an unspectacular rookie season, rushing for 139 yards on just 36 attempts; he's already close to besting those marks through the season's first two weeks.
But during this transitional campaign, which was thrown off track early as Williams battled separate foot and ankle injuries and missed seven weeks, the Rams learned a lot about how the former Notre Dame star is wired ... and evidently are convicted in what they saw.
“He's a conscientious guy and he's incredibly mentally tough," McVay said. "He's resilient, he's passionate about the game. Had a couple different setbacks as a rookie, didn't let it phase him and just controlled the things that he could control. He's put a lot of really good work in. He's got a growth mindset.
"He's just continuing to love the opportunity to go compete and to continue to take steps in the right direction. I love what I've seen from him."
McVay added that Williams is a "great competitor" who will never be satisfied with his play, an exciting characteristic that has helped foster rapid growth.
The 5-9, 195-pound Williams was largely viewed as a receiving back exiting college, but he's proven through two games that he can produce on the ground, as well - and McVay thinks his overall skill set lends itself favorably to handling a full workload.
“He's a complete back," McVay said. "I think he's got the ability to play on all downs. He's really put the work in. He's earned a lot of trust from his coaches, from his teammates, and he's a guy that just continues to take steps in the right direction."
The day-to-day progress Williams made opened eyes in Los Angeles; he may not have been ready for this role a year ago, but he kept chipping away at it and forced the Rams to give him a bigger role.
"You couldn't deny some of the improvements in the things that he was doing that were in alignment with saying, ‘We got to figure out ways to be able to get him involved,’" McVay said. "And again, you just see the work works for guys like that.”
Williams' story is one that McVay hopes his teammates have noticed as an example of what consistent work can lead to - not only respect from his teammates, but also considerably more playing time.
Better yet, it's not just Williams' on-field ability and work ethic that have drawn praise from those around him; the mental toughness McVay referenced is only the beginning of how valuable he is from the neck-up.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford stated that every detail matters to Williams and he's highly in-tune with the play calls and his responsibilities.
“Lots of times, we get to the end of a play call and I'm tagging the back’s route and he's already on it, knowing exactly what he's got," Stafford said. "He and I have great conversation in the backfield when we're back there, whether it's in protection or who we might be hot off of in some protection or whatever it is.
"He's super dialed in on that stuff. That makes it easy for me back there. With the ball in his hand, he's been pretty special as well.”
It's clear the Rams have plenty of trust and confidence in Williams - and that extends throughout the rest of the running backs.
Freeman was elevated to the active roster for last Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers while Akers and Evans were both healthy scratches.
McVay noted Freeman has been "doing a good job" since signing in late July, though he was returned to the practice squad following Sunday's contest.
The Rams trust Freeman; he's a 66-game veteran dating back to his rookie season in 2018 and has emerged a steady contributor on special teams, which McVay said is the focal point of the conversation when deciding who to keep as the third running back.
And so, special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn and assistant special teams coach Jeremy Springer play big parts in Los Angeles' decision as it tries to maximize all 48 active players.
At least this past week, that favored Freeman ... but the Rams remain high on Evans' upside.
“Zach has done a lot of good things," McVay said. "I've loved Zach's engagement. I've loved his demeanor the last couple weeks. I think he's got a really bright future. I want to see him continue to be able to put the work in.”
Los Angeles' running backs room looks different than McVay and staff expected at the start of the season - but that's no worry. Instead, the Rams are confident with who they have, and optimistic about what's to come.
Williams and Rivers are second-year players. Evans is a rookie. Freeman is the oldest in the group ... and is still only 27.
While inexperienced, the Rams have talent - and look forward to showing it on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, with kickoff inside Paycor Stadium set for 5:15 p.m. PST.
