Vikings’ Trade for Rival Bears RB Falls Through: Report

The Minnesota Vikings landed Cam Akers in a trade with the Houston Texans in Week 7 — however, he may not have been the team’s first choice.

KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported on October 17 that, before the Vikings sealed the trade for Akers on October 15, Minnesota attempted to make a deal with the Chicago Bears to acquire running back Khalil Herbert.

“I’m led to believe the Vikings preferred Khalil Herbert,” Wolfson said on SKOR North on October 17. “One hundred percent confirmed: the Vikings had dialogue with Chicago. Absolutely had interest in Herbert; it wasn’t Cam Akers or bust.”

A 2021 sixth-round pick, Herbert has tallied 372 carries for 1,791 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. In the final year of his rookie deal, the Bears are likely open to trading him to recoup draft capital.

However, Chicago didn’t agree to the terms of the deal Minnesota offered, likely on par with the Akers deal, according to Wolfson.

The Vikings sent Houston a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Akers and a conditional seventh-round pick, bringing the former Los Angeles Rams second-rounder back to Minnesota after they landed him from the Rams in the same trade a year ago

Akers, 25, tore his Achilles last year — the second such injury he’s suffered since he entered the league in 2020. He started two games for Houston this season but was relegated to a backup role with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce returning from injury.

Playing in his fifth season in the league, Akers has played 47 games with 17 starts, tallying 438 carries for 1,728 yards rushing for a 3.9-yard average.