Few folks thought the Minnesota Vikings may make the playoffs when this season began, however they’re now 5-0, making them one in every of simply two undefeated groups within the NFL, together with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
One motive they’ve gotten off to such a scorching begin is the play of operating again Aaron Jones, who was poached from the rival Inexperienced Bay Packers and has 350 dashing yards to this point.
Nonetheless, Jones suffered a hip harm within the Week 5 in opposition to the New York Jets, and together with his standing for the Week 7 sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions unclear, the Vikings traded for operating again Cam Akers.
Earlier than they re-acquired Akers from the Houston Texans, the Vikings reportedly talked to a different longtime NFC North rival about one in every of their operating backs.
“So previous to the commerce for Cam Akers, I’m led to imagine the Vikings most popular Khalil Herbert of the Chicago Bears,” Darren Wolfson of KTSP mentioned, through The Purple Persuasion. “… Now clearly the Bears wouldn’t do the parameters of the deal.”
The Bears “would not do the parameter of the deal” and rejected the Vikings provide.
“So previous to the… pic.twitter.com/dPm0Qq9ZB9
Herbert has struggled this season with 16 dashing yards in eight makes an attempt, whereas Akers has run for 147 yards in 40 carries whereas filling in for injured Joe Mixon in Houston.
Akers is a Tremendous Bowl champion, overcoming a torn Achilles to return late within the 2021 season to assist the Los Angeles Rams win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The next season, he registered 786 dashing yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 video games for the Rams.
Akers was traded to Minnesota halfway via final season, and he contributed 138 dashing yards and a landing in six video games.
The Vikings have began off in stellar trend despite the fact that star tight finish T.J. Hockenson stays out after struggling an ACL harm late final season, and having one other recognized contributor in Akers will assist them proceed their momentum if Jones additionally misses time.
