Los Angeles Rams free agent Tutu Atwell is unlikely to return this upcoming offseason as many believe he will walk to a new team. According to sources, the Rams offense will look a whole lot different next season as Atwell will be the latest Ram to depart from the team. After informing Cooper Kupp that they’ll put him on the trade block, the Rams find themselves in a deeper hole in their wide receiving department. Los Angeles will only have one capable wideout under contract which is Puka Nacua but many believe they could retain Demarcus Robinson.
However, Atwell wasn’t able to make much of an impact during the 2024 campaign. Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Louisville product came into the league as the return specialist for the Rams before finally getting some life as a pass catcher alongside Kupp in 2022. However, the team didn’t have any use in him since they were more focused on getting targets out of Nacua and Kupp so the Rams might be playing it safe and letting Atwell test the free-agent market. In 2024, he was showing some signs of production on occasion when Kupp and Nacua were out for a few games but it wasn’t enough for the team to sign him to an extension.
Atwell is a healthy scratch and could fit in the aerial attack of any offense that needs a No. 3 wide receiver. Teams like the Ravens, Panthers might take a shot on him for a solid two-year contract deal to see how he can fit into their offense.
Rams Free Agent Wide Receiver Tutu Atwell “Unlikely” to Return – Ravens, Panthers Possible Next Teams
Third Man Raven?
If anyone needs a solid rotational pass catcher in the league, it’s the Baltimore Ravens. The team came into the 2024 season looking for help outside of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Nelson Agholor did what he could to relieve the pressure but it wasn’t as enough since Quarterback Lamar Jackson had to depend on the run or throwing to safety nets Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. Some could argue the presence without Flowers could be a reason why the Ravens lost against the Bills but the wide receiver department was always an issue while he was active.
The Diontae Johnson experiment did not work and he’s heading to free agency looking to join a team on a low budget. After releasing Odell Beckham Jr. last offseason, the Ravens pass game didn’t look the same even with Agholor in the lineup. Now, they need a new wideout since Agholor is hitting the market and the Ravens probably won’t bring him back given his age. However, a guy like Tutu Atwell has the size and agility similar to Flowers and Bateman to pair as three-headed speedsters.
More Help for Young
As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Bryce Young got right off to a good foot at the end of the season. The team gave up on Diontae Johnson after trading him which was probably a good move to see Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker excel. Jonathan Mingo left as well so the Panthers should be in the market for a wideout free agent to make life easier for Young.
This could be a solid opportunity for Atwell who’s looking for more reps in the passing game. He might not be stellar but he fits into what the Panthers might eyeing in a third-man receiver.
The post Rams Free Agent Wide Receiver “Unlikely” to Return – Ravens, Panthers Possible Next Teams appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.