MIAMI GARDENS — The career arcs of Miami Dolphins receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are eerily similar.
They’re both the only receivers on the roster with a 500-yard season on their resume.
Both of those seasons came in 2024.
Both took a major step back in 2025, Atwell managing 192 yards with the Rams while Tolbert had 203 with Dallas.
And Atwell arrived in Miami via a one-year, $1.4 million contract — the same parameters of Tolbert’s deal.
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And now, on a team that has 11 wide receivers in camp, five of whom have zero or one year of NFL experience, Atwell and Tolbert are being asked to turn back the clock while also helping the inexperienced receivers navigate life in the NFL.
“Just coming in and obviously
building on what I did two years ago when I was in Dallas,” said Tolbert, 27, who had 610 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. “And I know what I’m capable of. I know what I can do to help this team and I know what I can do in this league.”
Atwell, 26, who had 562 receiving yards two years ago, has the added motivation of having grown up here, playing under Friday night lights not far from Hard Rock Stadium as a student at Miami Northwestern.
“I feel great,” Atwell said. “Family’s back here, a lot of family back here. They’re going to be able to make it to all the games. Just pushing on for the city. I grew up here, born and raised, and I’m just very, very excited to get back and do what’s best for the city.”
In the back of his mind, Atwell may have known at the end of last season that the opportunity for a homecoming might come his way. He was a healthy scratch for the NFC Championship Game, with a contract expiring after the season. As the Dolphins parted with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, it was clear they were starting from scratch, especially at wide receiver. For a veteran looking for a shot, it seemed like a fit.
“It’s a business, man,” Atwell said. “I’ve been doing this for six years — my sixth year in the league — and I’ve just seen different aspects of everything, starting with coming off the bench, and that doesn’t faze me. I’m still going to play. As long as I get my opportunity, I show what I do best.”
Tolbert was among the receivers who accepted quarterback Malik Willis’ invitation to meet in Jacksonville during the offseason to help develop chemistry. Willis took another step toward leading the team last week by addressing players and imploring them to take care of business.
“He’s doing a great job of showing his leadership skills, controlling the huddle, controlling the team,” Tolbert said. “And his message made everybody sit up in their chairs and listen. And he had a great message to us. And I think we came out and had our best practice after that.”
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins WRs Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell try to turn back clock
