Tutu Atwell needs to be on the field more often if the Los Angeles Rams want their offense to become more consistent from drive to drive. With Davante Adams suffering an injury late in the Week 6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the door is open for Atwell to earn a significantly larger role in Sean McVay’s offense.
The Rams have struggled to find consistency throughout their 2026 campaign, and getting Atwell more involved would provide a much-needed spark. While Puka Nacua and Adams have commanded much of the attention in the passing game, Atwell possesses the speed and downfield ability to stretch opposing defenses in ways that can create opportunities for the entire offense.
Atwell’s biggest value comes from his ability to threaten defenses vertically. His speed can force opposing cornerbacks to respect the deep ball, potentially opening up underneath routes for Nacua, Adams when healthy, and the Rams’ tight ends. Los Angeles needs to find more ways to manufacture explosive plays rather than relying on the same targets throughout every possession.
And the data clearly shows that the Rams offense is more explosive when Tutu Atwell is on the field. At the very least, Tutu Atwell should be on the field for every obvious 3rd down passing situation.
Adams’ late-game injury against Arizona makes that opportunity even more important. Depending on the severity of the injury and his availability for Week 7, Atwell could see an expanded snap count and more opportunities to establish himself as a reliable contributor. Even if Adams returns quickly, the Rams should consider giving Atwell a more consistent role.
The Rams cannot afford to let their offensive personnel become predictable, particularly as they attempt to climb back into contention in the NFC playoff picture. Rotating Atwell into more offensive packages could give quarterback Matthew Stafford another weapon capable of changing the complexion of a drive with one play.
Atwell does not need to replace Adams’ production entirely to make a difference. He simply needs more opportunities to use his speed and create separation. If the Rams want a more explosive and dependable offense, getting Atwell involved should be a priority moving forward.
