Report: Bucs Spoke With Rams About Cam Akers
September 19th, 2023
Bucs kicked the tires.
Well, this is interesting.
It seems Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has spoken with the Rams about the ransom for Rams running back Cam Akers.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bucs are one of four teams Schultz cited as having talked turkey with the Rams about Akers.
Thus far the Bucs running game through two weeks has been meh. The Bucs claim they still believe in Rachaad White but let’s be real: He’s had one good game and one OK game in 20 games with the Bucs. That’s just not a good ratio.
You want to blame White’s meh running on learning a new offense? OK. But it could be something deeper.
Chase Edmonds got dinged up on Sunday and he is expected to miss at least two games, per Bucs coach Todd Bowles. Sean Tucker so far hasn’t impressed Joe one bit (yeah, it’s still way early for him).
The thing that intrigues Joe about Akers, other than he’s a proven NFL running back, is that he had three 100-yard games in the last three weeks of the 2022 season.
Who was Akers’ quarterback then? Some guy named Baker Mayfield.
After Nick Chubb had his knee bent in a way that humans are not supposed to have their knees bend, the ransom for Akers had to have gone up.
For reasons not quite clear, the Rams are fed up with Akers and Rams coach Sean McVay said yesterday Akers has played his final game with the Rams.
While Bowles said yesterday that he thought the running game was “efficient,” Joe doesn’t think of efficient as “good.” Efficient just means getting the job done.
For a couple of coaches like Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales and Bowles, who want to run the ball, having a mediocre or worse run game just might Pearl Harbor the Bucs’ promising start to the season.
Joe is all for bringing in Akers, who is still on his rookie contract.
Ira Talks A Key Difference Between Baker Mayfield And Tom Brady, His Postgame Chat With Todd Bowles, Locker Room Chatter, And More
Sources: Several teams have checked in with the #Rams about a potential Cam Akers trade – including the #Buccaneers, #Ravens, #Raiders and #Browns – among others.
It’s still possible Akers gets released (salary reasons), but the team is actively shopping him and he’s more than… pic.twitter.com/ZZ3KZJJIvD
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 19, 2023
September 19th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Go get Akers, go get playoff lenny, go get hunt. get them all and fit them into the salary cap!
This offense needs a true threat at rb to grow and mature. this offense cannot blossom and open things up like it wants with no running game.
go get them all!!!
September 19th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
I vaguely remember Arians and Licht talking about drafting Akers that year if he fell to us. No?
September 19th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
If this doesn’t motivate Rashaad, not sure anything else will. I wouldn’t give up the farm for a guy who has 0.4 yards per carry average more than Rashaad.
Has Rashaad left the Bucs yet in a hissy fit?
September 19th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
IF Akers can bump up the Bucs run game then the Bucs could have legit chance against better teams in the league… I struggle to see the Bucs win Monday night against the Eagles without a better run game..
Become a threat in the run game and be in the position to win against anyone!
September 19th, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Why are Rams shopping him? Bucs do need another RB due to injury so maybe for a conditional 5th round pick
September 19th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Look, the Rams are ditching him for a reason. The most important thing on a football team is the locker room chemistry. Something is going on over in LA and we don’t need that crap here.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Akers is fine. I’d kick the tires on Kareem Hunt first. Maybe both. This run game is fairly putrid.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Off-topic, but Joe brought it up: Seeing Chubbs knee bent that way reminded me of Theisman and Alex Smith. Brutal injury, man, sorry to see that. But it IS foosball, and sometimes those mean gorillas get ya. Eeeks.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
The obvious “Sneak” for green Akers trade isn’t too far fetched here, is it?!
September 19th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
He would only be a rental and doesn’t seem like he is that big of an upgrade over White. I guess if we have zero confidence in Vaughn then go get him.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Rachaad White played a very good game Sunday, and he will likely only improve as he, the O-line, and Canales get comfortable. Akers looked awful in the first game and lost his job to a second year 4th round pick. No need to trade assets for Akers who is JAG.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
RoJo is available, and probably cheap. He did alright here. Not great, but better than White has so far.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
….a couple of 2nd night of the Draft picks, on expiring rookie contracts, buried on the depth chart and inactive and looking for new scenery and situations….
“Sneak” for greener Akers (and a conditional late rounder possibly)?!
September 19th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Either ROJO or Kareem Hunt would be nice upgrades to our RB group and it would avoid both giving up a draft pick and the drama/contract demands Akers would bring.
We have enough mouths to feed next season with all the expensive free agents we will need to sign…
Akers had 29 yards on 22 carries week one. We can get that kind of production from Vaughn without the headaches.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:46 pm
I’d probably just re-sign RoJo to a 1 year deal that fits in our pathetic salary cap. Edmonds will be back in a month.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Or sign Laird to the active roster and sign Ronnie Brown to the Practice Squad.
September 19th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
@ Joe
Not sure what you mean by meh…I saw a bad running game on week one and a very solid running game on week 2…..Not sure if I would spend whatever it may cost the Bucs a trade for Ackers…. I would wait to get a little more deeper on the season, for whatever happens with injuries IMO
September 19th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Hunt looked done with the Browns last year and there is a reason he was not brought back by them or signed by anyone else in preseason! Akers while a head case clearly is the most talented back of the group of FAs being mentioned. I tell the Rams we will give up a conditional pick for him that ranges anywhere from a 5th to a 7th based on performance and behavour!
September 19th, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Hard Pass! He has never even broken 800 yards rushing in 4 seasons and obviously has an attitude problem.
Hunt costs too much and I think he’ll be back in Cleveland with the injury to Chubb.
Rojo or Laird it is until Edmonds comes back. Unless Sneak finally holds on to the football and gains the trust of his coaches.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Doesn’t he have a fumbling issue. A big part of our success is winning the turnover battle.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Sounds good.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
He would be a really good option since like baker he played in a similar offense. He’d be eating up a lot of Sean tucker reps by his second game
September 19th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Why buy another teams attitude problems? The Bucs seem to have very good chemistry now so why bring in a guy who may be a problem. If money is already tight who do the Bucs cut to bring in a guy that may be more trouble than he is worth.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Akers has an aversion to blocking, so the Bucs could not count on him there.
If they pulled him for a blocking back it would tip their hand, so he might not be a great fit.
I would say to stand pat right now and see how the line does, no one expects a Stupor Bowl this year anyway, so find a better fit in the draft.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Yesterday in a press conference Bowles was asked about Edmunds injury and whether or not they intended to shop for another RB. He said no. They’re good with who we already have. Blowing smoke?
September 19th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Trust in sneak. He’s pissed off. Give him a chance before trading for anyone
September 19th, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Feel like the bucs can make a good decision based on gaines and baker’s intel.
White needs competition plus rbs go down easy. You want to bank on white not getting hurt all season?
September 19th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
I always thought Sneak was a hard runner with no OLine help. We need to give him another chance as he is pissed off and has something to prove. Also, Re-sign RoJo at the vet minimum.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Looks like the Aints are back to injuring knees/breaking bones again. Shaq Lawson done for the year.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Lmao to the Leonard Fournette suggestions….The dude was terrible last year and said he willingly left the Bucs because Brady was the only reason he came….that’s not exactly someone you want back in your locker room.
Sorry Lenny, but that bridge has been burned. Next.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Shaq Thompson…not Shaq Lawson.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
Bucs should stay away from Cam Akers. He’s nothing special. If the Rams don’t want him and haven’t wanted him for well over a year then why should the Bucs take a flyer on him.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Isn’t Rojo available as well? Wouldn’t mind a reunion with the bucs again.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:46 pm
I agree with those who are asking ‘What’s missing in this picture?’ Why do the Rams REALLY want to get rid of him? It’s not salary CAP (his CAP hit is only $2.0 mil & his Dead CAP is only $0.5 mil). There has to be something else going on, since he only played 28 snaps in the Rams 1st game (a win), and didn’t even suit up for the 2nd game (a loss). Dissatisfied at playing 2nd fiddle to Kyren Williams at RB? Would his attitude be any different here if he was 2nd to Rachaad White?
Pass. Last year of his contract, and I doubt that the Bucs will be pouring $$$ into RBs in 2024 or 2025. Too many other more important mouths to feed. Resurrecting RoJo is intriguing though.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Agree with all of those like D.R. who have pointed out that something is fishy.
If Akers was all “that” the Rams wouldn’t cut bait.
But IMHO I also am not as digusted?(as some here) with our RB’s or OL. They are clearly a work in progress. So I think there’s only one major question
Where are White and Tucker on their growth curve. Are they improving. Do they stlll have upside? Same question for the engine that drives the running game the OL. I like what I’ve seen from the OL AND White; and Tucker is still a raw meat rookie, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Cam Akers is not a game changer at this point. I can’t imagine adding him for “depth” even if the Bucs need it. Jonathan Taylor WAS/IS a game changer. The Bucs cannot afford to go buy a “game changer” at this point.
No need to rock the boat or fool with the locker room chemistry.
Get to the bye and reevaluate.
Kancey hopefully will be healthy after the bye and I still believe he DOES have the ability and potential to be a game changer. This team still has reason to believe that this years D could turn out to be really special and capable of carrying a decent offense.
September 19th, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Well said, st. pete fan.
September 19th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
He is a very good back, Bucs should go get him ASAP for the right price.
September 19th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
I think Akers isn’t all that great but if I had to chose between him or Rojo I’m going with Akers, way more upside….we already know what ROJO is and that’s a guy who couldn’t sniff the field in KC amongst a very weak backfield.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Let’s see if the OL gells and improves it’s run blocking.
All three of our healthy running backs are capable after clearing the LOS
September 19th, 2023 at 6:03 pm
Gotta wonder why the Rams are trying to get rid of him though, right?
Something smells fishy. Or has McVay just never liked him? I feel like there was rumbling about the Rams parting ways with him last season too.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
September 19th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
I think Akers isn’t all that great but if I had to chose between him or Rojo I’m going with Akers, way more upside
———–
Yeah, we know what Rojo is, the best regular season offensive threat of 2020 and set a record for highest ypc for any Buc RB in history that ran for over 500 yards in a season… he should have had 1000 but Brady’s ego necessitated him feeding Brown’s ego. Big mistake. Rojo is a great runner. Not a great receiver or blocker, but an excellent runner. He is the type of runner that makes play action passing effective.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:26 pm
SIGN ROJO.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
“the best regular season offensive threat of 2020”
Put the meth down.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:42 pm
Brandon – Rojo barely played in KC and was just cut from Dallas. This is your “great runner”? Decent maybe.
September 19th, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Tbbucs3 – 😂
September 19th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Lol, sign Rojo they say. Like seriously?
September 19th, 2023 at 7:53 pm
What’s with the constant, confusing WW2 references? Not sure what “Pearl Harboring” a season even means….
September 19th, 2023 at 8:15 pm
Akers is decent his pass protection sucks….Kareem hunt is back in Cleveland because of nick chubb and Rojo is unemployed and so is Lenny. I haven’t given up on white fully but he needs to find a second gear like asap
September 19th, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Scotty Shaq Thompson plays for the Panthers lol.
You said the wrong name AND the wrong team.
AND Off-Topic.
Trifecta.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:36 pm
Akers vs Vaughn, lets both teams save face as the Rams can claim they got a 3rd round pick for him, while the Bucs obviously get the better player. Unless someone gives the Rams a 7th, they’re just going to cut him, so the Bucs can wait if they think they can sign him.
I’m all in on White, but I’d have no issues with adding Akers for free.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
White is so annoying. He talks a lot. But runs soft.
He thinks he is amazing.
I just see a RB who is slow to hit the hole and scared to get hit.
At least Lenny ran hard last year.
White? He tip toes in the backfield and never breaks tackles.
I honestly don’t understand what the Bucs like about him.
He is a Gen Z RB. Soft!
September 20th, 2023 at 12:00 am
Akers ranked 27th among RB’s last year in yards per attempt… how excited are we to get a running back who’s not as good as what 26 other teams had?
September 20th, 2023 at 12:54 am
“Rachaad White…. had one good game and one OK game in 20 games with the Bucs. That’s just not a good ratio.”
Dude – its 19 games first of all – and White has averaged a grand total of FOUR carries per game in those 19 games….
There’s only been like 4-5 games (including the 2 this year) where White got enough carries to even be judged on.
Just another bad Joe(L) narrative that will be proven wrong by seasons end when White will have tallied over 1000 yards rushing and 1400-1500 total. yards….
September 20th, 2023 at 2:39 am
Latest is that the Rams called the Bucs asking if they were interrested. The aswer was not at this time.
I know Joe wants the next free agent RB to be our savior but this ain’t the guy and we are not giving up cap dollars and or draft capital to do it anyway.
Go Bucs!
September 20th, 2023 at 5:52 am
Call bully Lenny. I feel he can work better under Canales and could block for baker.
September 20th, 2023 at 6:56 am
Joseph C Simmons Says:
September 19th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Look, the Rams are ditching him for a reason. The most important thing on a football team is the locker room chemistry. Something is going on over in LA and we don’t need that crap here.
—————————-
No, we don’t need it. The Bucs have a very tight and close knit locker room. That’s a strength. What with all the hysteria? White had a combined 100 yards last week. Where’s the patience? We’re playing game 3, not 17, with a new OC, QB and OLine!! Jury’s out right now on White, etc. and Licht knows it. Sensible fans know it. Something stinks with this Ram player.
September 20th, 2023 at 10:44 am
I’d think there are many good candidates to check out.
Akers is not the only option..