The wide receiver position was a big focus for the Los Angeles Rams this offseason as they parted ways with Cooper Kupp and signed future Hall of Famer Davante Adams to a two-year contract.
The Rams also made some smaller moves such as bringing back Tutu Atwell on a one-year deal.
The former second-round pick out of Louisville is coming off a career year that saw him catch 42 passes for 562 yards in 17 games (five starts).
Atwell stepped into a larger when Kupp and Puka Nacua were sidelined with injuries, and showed enough to warrant a fifth season in Los Angeles.
“I think when you look at his body of work, when he’s been able to play – especially in some of the times that he was playing when Cooper was on IR – there was a lot of production,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
“And if you project that over the course of 17 games, you just watch what he was able to do. He’s matured as a young man. I love the person, getting to know him, and I think that he’s only getting better. He’s 24 years old. I thought he really improved his route detail. For a smaller guy, he’s got a good catch radius.”
Although he impressed during the 2024 season, Atwell hasn’t really made the impact that many expected when the Rams drafted him four years ago.
McVay took the blame for that and said he plans to utilize Atwell more as the Rams’ third receiver in 2025. “He catches the ball outside of his frame really well,” McVay began.
“He’s an explosive player that people know about, so he creates separation. And I think there is some stuff that, I think the fans are accurate in that I haven’t done a good enough job of utilizing him.
“When you look at the times when he’s been able to play, whether that be because some people were out or not, he has produced, and he’s delivered, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of that ascension. And he’s going to be on the field a lot more, particularly in a lot of those three-receiver sets where, when he’s been on the field, he’s done a really good job.”
Returning to Rams was top priority for Tutu Atwell
Despite having some ups and downs during his time with the Rams, Tutu Atwell said returning to the team was a top priority for him this offseason.
With Atwell back in the fold, the Rams should have one of the better wide receiver corps in the NFL next season.
