WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Scheduled to become a free agent for the first time with his rookie contract set to expire at the start of 2025 NFL league year on March 12, that process this offseason was an exercise in patience for Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell. He was back home in Miami, patiently waiting for a phone call.
While playing through the final year of that rookie deal in 2024, he said he talked about it with fellow receiver Cooper Kupp in-season. When the offseason arrived, he would call his mentor, fellow Miami native Teddy Bridgewater, and ask him what it was like being a free agent.
That uncertainty subsided before he hit the open market, agreeing to terms with the team on a one-year deal on Monday.
"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."
According to Atwell, signing a one-year deal was based on long conversations he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had about what their plan was.
"My full trust is in Drew," Atwell said. "Whatever Drew says, I believe that he made the right decision for me and did the right deal for me. It's my job to go out and perform so we get whatever the case may be next year or whatever it is. Like I said, Drew did a fantastic job and I appreciate him."
The four-year pro's current benchmark was set last season, when he posted career-highs in both receptions (42) and receiving yards (562), even as his usage varied. He admitted Tuesday that it was "tough nights and long days just not playing" within that inconsistent usage, but leaned on long talks with his dad and his mom and others he is close with.
"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."
Atwell's exact role for the upcoming season is still to be determined, but he trusts the coaching staff to put him in a position to succeed.
"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."
Atwell said he still has a lot to improve and show, and didn't show enough over the last four years for media and other observers to see, "but there's more in the tank, for sure."
Having Matthew Stafford back throwing him the ball will help. Atwell said he always planned to come back to Los Angeles, but once Stafford's return was announced, he called his agent to tell him going back to the Rams was their first priority.
Ultimately, Atwell's patience paid off.
"Everything worked out, and I'm happy to be back," Atwell said.
