5 Rams we can safely call busts after the 2023 season

I: RB Cam Akers

The truth of the matter is that if running back Cam Akers had been less confrontational, he may still be with the team. But the same fire that burned in him that propelled him to gain as many yards as he could on each play continued to burn in him on the practice field, in the locker room, and on several occasions when he met with head coach Sean McVay to argue, lobby, and dispute his role and how the team used him on offense.

Yes, Cam Akers fought tooth and nail for every yard, even if that meant fighting Coach McVay for carries to get those yards. It was his fiery and confrontational nature that eventually wore out his welcome. He was benched in 2022 over a dispute, as the front office attempted to negotiate a trade that would place him on a team better equipped to handle his outbursts. When no team suited, Akers and McVay reconciled, if only temporarily.

The fact that Cam Akers piled up successive 100+ yards rushing to close out the 2022 NFL season was certainly a clue that perhaps the player and the team had found a new equilibrium. But when the 2023 season opened, so did Akers's mouth, and it happened to be pointed at HC Sean McVay once more. This time, the Rams did negotiate a trade that was so lopsided in the Minnesota Vikings' favor that the Rams would get nothing in return.

A condition of the trade stipulated that Akers needed to gain 500 or more yards for the Vikings or a conditional pick swap would be voided. Akers suffered another Achilles Tendon injury, benching him before he could produce enough yards to trigger the pick swap. Now Cam Akers is a restricted free agent with the Vikings, and still faces a long rehab to even be ready to play football again. He won't be playing for the Rams. And while I get no pleasure in it, he is unlikely to play in the NFL again.