Rams WR Tutu Atwell spoke to the media on Tuesday and is ready to embrace a bigger role
One of the first moves that the Los Angeles Rams made in free agency was one that not many saw coming. However, for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, there was no other place that he wanted to be. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the former second-round pick said, “It has always been the first priority in my mind. After the season, I always told my agent that I wanted to come back. This is like my second home and we made it our top priority.”
A primary reason many saw the re-signing of Atwell as a surprise was because of his limited usage in the Rams offense. Atwell had started just five games last season and four of those came in the beginning of the year due to the injuries of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. In those four games, Atwell led the Rams in yards and yards per route. He was also one of their best weapons downfield as he had an average depth of target of 14.4 yards. Atwell accounted for 33.8 percent of the team’s air yards.
When the Rams needed Atwell, he stepped up and made plays. The Rams don’t beat the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 without him. However, when the wide receiver room was healthy, Atwell struggled to see the field. He went from a 78.2 percent snap share in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders to a 12.5 percent snap share the following week against the Minnesota Vikings. That was the first game in which both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were healthy.
A similar situation occurred in 2023 when Atwell was asked to step up after Kupp’s injury. Atwell was second on the team in those four weeks in yards and receptions behind only Nacua and he accounted for 29.3 percent of the team’s air yards.
After signing a one-year, $10 million contract and Kupp not returning, the hope now is that Atwell’s usage does increase and he finds a larger role in the offense. “We haven’t really gotten into that now. I trust Coach Sean,” said Atwell. “I have no doubt in my mind he’s going to use me to my ability and I’m just waiting for the future and waiting for this year. We had some good conversations.”
This has always been the confusing part with Atwell. He was clearly a coveted player as the Rams drafted him with the 57th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. When he has been used, he’s made the most of those opportunities. In games over the last two years that Atwell has played at least 70 percent of the offensive snaps, he averages 4 catches for 50 yards. He had four such games in 2023 and had 20 receptions for 284 yards.
When Atwell has made big plays, he has been praised by the coaching staff. McVay has mentioned Atwell as a player that he should use more. Yet, that simply hasn’t been the case. Actions sometimes speak louder than words and despite McVay praising Atwell, the wide receiver has found his way back on the sideline after performing. That’s what made Atwell’s message somewhat curious. Several times the Rams wide receiver mentioned how much he wanted to be back in Los Angeles with the Rams.
“I always had to wait,” said Atwell. “You have to wait your turn. When it’s my turn, I always make the most of it. I knew what I was doing was right. You can’t be a selfish player and that’s not how I was raised. I’m not going to lie, there were tough nights and long days of not playing or whatever the case may be. I had to do what’s right for my team and when my number is called make the most of it.”
This offseason will be Atwell’s time to show what he’s capable of in the Rams receiving room. When Atwell has played, he has tended to lineup and do some of the Cooper Kupp things from the slot, especially with his usage in motion. With Kupp set to no longer be on the roster, that position should be open for Atwell.
Additionally, Atwell will be a veteran on the roster and in his fifth year in the offense. In a position group that is getting overhauled this offseason, that experience will be valuable. The Rams are also looking to create more explosive plays and Atwell’s speed and big play ability will be counted on to accomplish that goal.
“I have a lot to improve and show,” Atwell said. “I feel like the last four years I didn’t show enough for the league, you guys or whoever to see. There’s more in the tank, for sure.”
We’ll have to wait and see if anything changes from the perspective of the coaching staff when it comes to Atwell’s usage. However, if Atwell is thrown into a bigger role, it’s something that he is ready to embrace.
