March 17, 2026, 6:29 a.m. PT
The Los Angeles Rams shocked a lot of people last offseason when they signed Tutu Atwell to a one-year deal worth $10 million – a contract that was fully guaranteed, no less. Given Atwell’s lack of involvement during his first four years in L.A., it was one of the more surprising signings of free agency.
That contract aged horribly, with Atwell playing only 187 snaps (16.5%) last season, fewer than Konata Mumpfield and Xavier Smith. Even worse, he caught just six passes all year.
This offseason, Atwell signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, heading home to South Beach where he was born and raised. Compared to last year’s contract, his new deal with Miami is incredibly cheap.
According to Aaron Wilson, it comes with a base value of $1.4 million and only $1.262 million fully guaranteed. That’s significantly less than what he got from the Rams in 2025.
It’s unclear if the Rams didn’t want Atwell back this offseason, or if he wanted a fresh start elsewhere. But regardless of the reasoning for their split, it was probably best for both parties to go their separate ways.
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McVay couldn’t find a role for him and Atwell probably wants a bigger opportunity on offense somewhere – which he’ll now get in Miami, where Tyreek Hill is no longer in the picture.
