LOS ANGELES (AP) – Receiver Tutu Atwell has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year deal for $10 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Rams were still completing the deal to keep Atwell under contract for a somewhat surprising fifth season.
Atwell has 99 receptions for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns in his four years with the Rams, who drafted him out of Louisville in the second round in 2021. He had career highs of 42 catches for 562 yards last season despite playing just 39% of Los Angeles’ offensive snaps.
Atwell started 14 games in 2023, but he has otherwise struggled to get consistent playing time among the Rams’ top three receivers despite contributing consistently whenever he was healthy. Although Atwell never complained about his usage by coach Sean McVay, he was widely expected to leave the Rams in free agency in a bid to get more playing time elsewhere.
Instead, Atwell will provide continuity alongside Puka Nacua as the Rams almost certainly move on without longtime star receiver Cooper Kupp. General manager Les Snead acknowledged Wednesday that the Rams are very likely to trade or to release their Super Bowl 56 MVP.
The Rams also waived cornerback Tre Tomlinson, who didn’t play last season.