It remains to be seen how the Rams will handle the Cooper Kupp situation. As one wideout remains on course to depart Los Angeles, though, another is staying put. 
Tutu Atwell has agreed to a one-year deal which will allow him to remain with the Rams, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will be a $10MM pact, and Schefter adds it is guaranteed in full. The former trade candidate will now face high expectations for 2025.
Providing further details on the agreement, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Atwell will collect a $5MM signing bonus. His $5MM in base salary is locked in at signing. The 25-year-old was on course for free agency with his rookie contract set to expire, but now he will log at least one more campaign in Los Angeles in the hopes of continuing to develop.
Atwell played in eight games during his rookie season, but he was not targeted. His role grew in Year 2, and his 16.6 yards per catch average (albeit with limited volume) offered a glimpse into his potential. Playing behind both Kupp and Puka Nacua in 2023, the Louisville product took another step forward in terms of production (39 catches, 483 yards, three touchdowns). Still, his output did not match expectations, and questions loomed over Atwell’s future. Last summer, it became clear the Rams did not intend to trade him, however.
Missed time at the top of the WR depth chart created an increase in opportunities for Atwell to begin the 2024 campaign. As a result, the former second-rounder’s reception (42) and yardage (562) totals again reached a new personal high. Toward the end of the season (when both Nacua and Kupp were available), though, Atwell saw his workload drop considerably. With a complementary role likely on tap for 2025, this commitment therefore comes as something of a surprise.
Nacua has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and he will be the focal point of Los Angeles’ passing attack moving forward. Kupp is on the trade block, however, and the team is willing to eat some of his salary to work out a deal. Moving on from the former ‘Triple Crown’ winner will create a starting vacancy for the Rams, but Atwell – who has handled a snap share above 40% only once to date – will face questions if he steps into one. Given the short-term nature of this arrangement, the Rams are clearly still unsure of his ability to produce on a regular basis.
Demarcus Robinson is a pending free agent, and his departure would increasingly leave Atwell in position to serve as a familiar option to quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will remain with the team for 2025. Left tackle Alaric Jackson also has a new deal in place, so the Rams will have a high degree of continuity on offense moving forward even with Kupp on his way out.
Seems rich for a guy who’s produced so little, but Darnell Mooney got a lot more money coming off an even less productive season, and the Rams also have a good view of the guy in house. Maybe they like his chances of stepping up when Kupp is gone. Still, I would have thought bringing him back would have looked more like Bateman’s 2 year $12.9 deal from last year.