3 former Vikings running backs the team could re-sign for the 2024 season

A strange thing happened with the Minnesota Vikings running back room this past week. Reports were running rampant that the team planned to sign Cam Akers pending a physical. ESPN even went as far as showing him on the team's depth chart. So it was a bit of a shock when it was recently announced that he had signed with the Houston Texans.

This unexpected turn of events, coupled with DeWayne McBride being on the non-football injury list, creates a hole at the bottom of the Vikings running back depth chart. Even if McBride was healthy, he's a long shot to make the team, as is Myles Gaskin, and bringing in a veteran back was always going to be considered.

With Akers no longer that option, could the team look to bring back a former Viking to fill that void? Here are three options if they go that route.

Latavius Murray

2023 Team: Buffalo Bills

Latavius Murray was with the Vikings during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. When Dalvin Cook was lost to injury, Murray was thrust into the starting role. While never a sexy option, Murray was a steady performer who ran for 1,420 yards in his Vikings career. He tallied eight touchdowns in 2017 and six in 2018.

Murray was never a major threat in the passing game but did catch almost everything that was thrown his way with 37 receptions in his two seasons with the Vikings. After his stint in Minnesota, Murray went on to play for the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Bills. While never the featured back, he always seems to produce when called upon.

Murray is ancient in running back years and will be on the ass-end of 34 when the season starts. That being said, he hasn't been a starter since his days with the Raiders and doesn't have a ton of wear on his tires. He could be a productive role player for the Vikings in 2024 and would be a reliable option if injuries befell Aaron Jones or Ty Chandler.

Dalvin Cook

2023 Teams: New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens

Of the players mentioned in this article, Dalvin Cook may be the one who has the best chance of coming back to Minnesota. He was a beast when he donned the horn on his helmet, rushing for nearly 6,000 yards with the Vikings, including four straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons.

He is a major asset in the passing game, with 236 career receptions for 1,872 yards. Cook isn't the bruiser that Murray is, but he is an explosive player who can bust off a huge run at any time. Even at the age of 28, he is still lightning-quick and faster than most.

Cook was cut by the Vikings due to his high price tag and eventually signed with the New York Jets, after realizing his market was ice cold. He lasted there for the majority of the season before being let go and then signed with the Ravens.

Cook is familiar with Kevin O'Connell's system, so he could be brought in late in training camp, and it wouldn't take him long to get up to snuff. Their first parting seemed to be an amicable one, and the reunion makes sense if the Vikings do bring in a veteran option.

Jerick McKinnon

2023 Team: Kansas City Chiefs

It seems like Jerick McKinnon has been in the NFL forever, but he's only 32 years old. He was drafted by the Vikings back in 2014 and stuck around until after the 2017 season. He has been a change-of-pace back for the majority of his career and has carved out a nice niche for himself as a dual-threat option out of the backfield.

After his first four seasons in Minnesota, McKinnon played a season in San Francisco before settling in with the Kansas City Chiefs and earning himself a couple of Super Bowl rings. Even with all the offensive weapons in Kansas City, McKinnon was able to catch 94 passes for 811 yards with 14 touchdowns and ran for 413 yards with two scores.

He's an excellent depth piece and it's a little surprising he remains unsigned as training camps kick off across the country.

McKinnon has no ties to the Kevin O'Connell regime but is a veteran who has been in similar offensive systems. He'd be a nice number three option on the depth chart and could see a handful of snaps every single game.

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