Sean McVay says the book isn't written on Tutu Atwell: 'He's looked really good this offseason'

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

Most Los Angeles Rams fans have set their expectations for Tutu Atwell on the lower side this year. After an underwhelming rookie season in which he caught zero passes and only played 10 offensive snaps, the former second-round pick failed to impress in Year 1.

Heading into 2022, he’s still buried on the depth chart behind Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson, but his coach isn’t giving up on him yet. When asked about younger players who could step up next season, Sean McVay told us via Zoom that he’s been impressed by Atwell in the offseason program as he returns from a shoulder injury that ended his rookie year early.

“I think that’s to be determined,” McVay said of who might take on bigger roles. “I’ve been really encouraged with guys who were able to step up last year and play significant roles. But when you look at it, Tutu Atwell’s a guy that got injured. I think he’s looked really good this offseason program up to this point.”

By no means will Atwell be handed a role on offense. He’ll have to earn it because the Rams have great depth at wide receiver, and they still want to bring back Odell Beckham Jr., too. But McVay isn’t going to simply stick Atwell on the bench without attempting to manufacture opportunities for him.

Atwell was a big part of the Rams’ attempt to find a deep threat last offseason, and he could still be that guy after it didn’t work out with DeSean Jackson in 2021. McVay is still high on Atwell and isn’t closing the book on him yet.

“I still believe Tutu can be that guy,” McVay said. “And DeSean did some really good things for us. I didn’t do a good enough job of getting him involved as much as he could’ve been. But by no means is the book written on Tutu Atwell. He had the shoulder injury. He’s looked really good. He’s done a great job of responding the right way.”

Van Jefferson naturally became the Rams’ deep threat last season, leading the team with an average of 16 yards per catch. He was Matthew Stafford’s go-to target on shots down the field, which resulted in a bunch of big plays.

Atwell might be the fastest offensive player the Rams have, though, after running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash last year. That type of speed can take the top off the defense and stretch the field vertically – if he can get a better grasp of playing the wide receiver position and contribute in other ways.

McVay joined Rams Wire via Zoom last week thanks to his partnership with Campbell’s Chunky Soup, with the two sides teaming up to help those suffering from the war in Ukraine. McVay and Campbell’s are making a donation of $50,000 to the American Red Cross in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, a cause that’s very important to McVay and his fiancee, who’s from Ukraine.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit the American Red Cross website at www.RedCross.org.