Turf Show Times
Tutu Atwell could be the worst one-year free agent contract in the history of the Rams, but that’s not his fault. What would you do if someone offered you $10 million to run in a straight line?
I hope you would sign that contract. I know that I would.
The Rams placed Atwell on injured reserve on Monday, sitting him out for at least four games and knowing that his absence could cost the offense up to one yard per game. Who else could the Rams find to “be a distraction” and “run clear out routes”? Les Snead will need to find another $10 million in savings, I guess.
These numbers and facts with a tinge or sarcasm are not meant to pile on or criticize Atwell. I know that’s hard to believe when Atwell’s stats and base salary are mentioned but that’s literally all I’m doing: Recounting his actual stats and how much he’s being paid for them.
This is not the same as Allen Robinson, when the Rams paid $15.5 million (how much Robinson made from the team in total) for a receiver who had previously had multiple 1,000-yard seasons with the Jaguars and Bears.
Atwell’s career prior to signing with the Rams for $10 million guaranteed over one year included a rookie season with zero catches (zero, like the shape of an egg), and producing 1,343 yards and 4 touchdowns over the next three years combined. Robinson once had 1,400 yards in one year with the Jaguars. Atwell had fewer yards than that in his entire career with the Rams.
What did the Rams really think they were getting with Tutu Atwell other than getting Tutu Atwell? This wasn’t a change of scenery. It was a KEEP of scenery!
The Rams were paying for Atwell and guess what they got? They got Tutu Atwell. So how I can blame Tutu Atwell?
The first seven weeks of the season have played out worse than anyone expected, including Sean McVay, who continuously cited Atwell as an important piece of the offense during the entire offseason, only to then use Tutu Atwell as if he were…I don’t know, Ben Skowronek? Jacob Harris? Tutu Atwell?
*The Colts only had 10 players on defense and the guy covering Atwell fell down.
According to Next Gen Stats, Atwell has run 114 routes, which is the fifth-most on the team behind Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Jordan Whittington, who has run 128 routes and been targeted 17 times. A sixth round pick in 2024, Whittington...
