Are the Bucs interested in possibly trading for Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers?

They are according to a report by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who listed the Bucs as one of four teams that have “checked in” with the Rams about a potential trade involving the disgruntled rusher.

But Pewter Report has learned that it might have been the other way around – with the Rams calling to see if the Bucs were interested in dealing for the former Florida State star instead.

Tampa Bay lost running back Chase Edmonds to an MCL strain in Sunday’s 27-17 win over Chicago and will be placing the veteran on short-term injured reserve. That means he’ll be out at least four weeks.

Former FSU RB Cam Akers – Photo courtesy of FSU

But the Bucs won’t be trading for Akers, a 2020 second-round pick, who is in the final year of his rookie contract in Los Angeles. Akers wants a new contract and has been disgruntled this offseason. He had 22 carries for 29 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ season-opening win, but was a healthy scratch in Week 2.

When notified that he would be inactive for Week 2, Akers posted a message on X on Sunday saying, “I’m just as confused as everybody else. I’m blessed though.”

Rams head coach Sean McVay called Akers’ social media post “surprising” on Monday.

“I feel very good about the clarity that was provided to him on Friday and Saturday, both through he and [agent] David Mulugheta,” McVay said. “And that’s unfortunate, but I feel like it was very clear in regards to our dialogue.”

Kyren Williams has supplanted Akers as the team’s top running back. Akers is coming off a career year in 2022 where he ran for 786 yards on 188 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He’s rushed for 1,433 yards and 10 TDs on 360 carries since entering the league four years ago.

Bucs Like Their RB Room, Will Pass On Trading For Cam Akers

Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Despite losing Chase Edmonds for at least a month due to a knee injury, Pewter Report has learned that the team will stand pat with its own running back stable for now. Tampa Bay only dresses three running backs on game days, and last week Ke’Shawn Vaughn, the team’s fourth-string running back, was inactive. Vaughn will be active on Monday night against Philadelphia, backing up starter Rachaad White and top reserve Sean Tucker, an undrafted free agent.

The Bucs also have Patrick Laird on the practice squad and can activate him to the 53-man roster at any time. Laird has been with the Bucs for the last two seasons on the practice squad, and knows Dave Canales’ new offense from training camp and the preseason, which would make for a quicker transition if he’s activated and called upon to play than acquiring Cam Akers in a trade or signing a new back off the street.

With Bucs general manager Jason Licht having a hot hand in the last couple of draft classes, he’ll want to hold on to all of his future draft picks because he values them like gold. Spending a draft pick on Akers and then having to sign him to a second, more lucrative contract is not in the team’s plans at all.