The Los Angeles Rams’ first move before the start of free agency was re-signing wide receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year, fully guaranteed $10 million contract.
The Rams drafted Atwell in the second round out of Louisville in 2021 and despite him having some ups and downs in the organization, he said returning to the team was his top priority, per Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It feels great, man. Them giving me this contract means everything, because they believed in me and they see what I did in the past years,” Atwell said Tuesday. “But always just did my part when my number was called and made the most of the opportunities that I had. I appreciate them, and just ready and looking forward to this season.”
Atwell’s playing time has fluctuated as at times he has been a real weapon for Sean McVay’s offense while others he has watched from the bench. He always maintained a good attitude though knowing that his time would come:
“You gotta wait your turn, you know? When it’s my turn, I always make the most if it,” Atwell said. “I knew what I was doing was right. You can’t be a selfish player, and that’s not what I was raised on being.”
The Rams signing Atwell to a new deal should signify them planning to utilize him more in 2025, but he revealed he has not yet spoken with McVay about his role:
“We haven’t really gotten into that now,” Atwell said, when asked how much McVay talked to him about what he envisions for his role in this year’s offense. “I trust coach Sean. I have no doubt he’s going to use me to my ability, and I’m just waiting for the future, waiting for this year, but we had some good conversations.”
The Rams’ wide receiving corps is shaping up to feature Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington and Atwell, giving them one of the better units in the league. Atwell will be the field-stretcher of that group and considering he is coming off a career-year in which he caught 42 passes for 562 yards, he could be in for his very best season in 2025.
Rams star Puka Nacua changing jersey number
Rams star Puka Nacua recently announced he will be switching his jersey number from 17 to 12, which is his family number and what he wore in high school and college. The switch will presumably pave the way for Davante Adams to wear 17 with the Rams.
