The Los Angeles Rams made a trade out of nowhere on Thursday afternoon, just hours before their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. They traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins for Tutu Atwell, reuniting with the receiver they just let walk in free agency five months ago.
It was a surprising trade for both teams, especially given the depth Los Angeles already had at wide receiver. Immediately, some fans questioned whether this deal was in preparation for a possible Puka Nacua suspension.
Sean McVay says that isn’t the case. He told reporters after Thursday’s game that acquiring Atwell had nothing to do with any possible suspension for Nacua. He says the Rams just wanted more depth at the position.
Additionally, Atwell
won’t bump any wide receivers that were previously going to make the team off the roster. That’s an indication the Rams could keep as many as seven wideouts.
Sean McVay said the Tutu Atwell decision is not related to any potential suspension that could come to Puka Nacua. He said they wanted Tutu for depth.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) August 28, 2026
He also said it won’t bump any WRs they wanted to keep off the roster either. They have plans to be flexible with the 53.
Atwell spent the last five years with the Rams after being a second-round pick in 2021 out of Louisville, but he never lived up to expectations. Even after signing a $10 million fully guaranteed contract last offseason, he barely played any snaps for the Rams.
The Dolphins signed him to a modest $1.4 million deal this offseason, with the Rams now responsible for $1.2 million of that sum. It's a low-risk deal for Los Angeles, especially if Hunter wasn't expected to make the team anyway.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay sheds light on Rams' trade for Tutu Atwell
