Random Ramsdom: Who saw Tutu Atwell signing coming?

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 3/7/25

Is anyone surprised that Tutu Atwell has signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams? The former second round pick just received what I would have to think is the biggest payday of his life.

I like Atwell. I think if he played for a full season in a key role, he could be a 1,000+ yard receiver.

Of course, he’s small in stature so maybe playing a major role for a full-season isn’t ideal, but I don’t know, we haven’t really seen it. The Rams hopefully know what they are doing (I’d guess they do), otherwise this signing could be second-guessed quite easily.

Please comment on whatever you want and thanks for checking out Turf Show Times!

Rams Make $10 Million WR Move (athlonsports)

“The Los Angeles Rams spent some money on Thursday, securing an extension for a player whose rookie contract was expiring.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported via X that the Rams and wide receiver Tutu Atwell agreed to a one-year contract worth $10 million. Atwell’s agent Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey negotiated the deal.

The Rams made the playoffs last season and reached the Divisional round before losing 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles. They won the NFC West for the 15th time in franchise history and are only behind the San Francisco 49ers (22) in division titles.”

Rams QB Matthew Stafford donates uniforms to Pasadena High School (espn.com)

“Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, surprised Pasadena High School students at their football banquet on Wednesday night with news they would be providing them with new uniforms.

The school was affected by the Eaton Fire, one of the wildfires that burned in the L.A. area in January. The school lost uniforms and football equipment in the fire, and several of the players lost their homes.”

Random Ramsdom Fandom: Should They Go All In??? (By Jonmon on Mar 3, 2025)

“The Rams can go all in on the next 2 seasons without hurting their future Salary Cap. It will just take releasing/trading 3 players. They are Cooper Kupp, Jonah Jackson, and Darius Williams. 2 of the 3 are already on the trade block. Regardless I’ll act like they were cut when doing the numbers.

While savings to the Salary Cap in 2025 may not be a lot at $14,686,662, together they would free up $58,663,338 in 2026 (per OverTheCap). I penciled in Alaric Jackson at $19M per. That would leave the total Salary Cap space available in 2025 at $40,718,568, and in 2026 they’d have a whopping $135,578,485 available.

The only Free Agent worth possibly bringing back in 2026 is Kam Curl, but he’s cheap if they decide to bring him back. None of the players above affect the 2027 Salary Cap but they’d have $273M+ available. That’s when Stafford is off the books and the Puka, Turner, Avila class needs to be paid.

I see people often talk about the 2025 Salary Cap but not the 2026 Salary Cap. If they decide to go all in you can combined the 2025 and 2026 Salary Cap’s and divide them in half. So they really would have $88,148,526 to spend in each of the 2025 and 2026 off-seasons. They could fully guarentee the first 2 years, on 3 year deals, for several Free Agents. I’m no Salary Cap guru but an easy example would be BJ Hill at $10M per year. He’d make $5M in 2025, $15M in 2026, and $10M in 2027. Both 2025 and 2026 would be fully guaranteed money. They can maneuver money around from year to year if need be.

There’s no one that needs to be re-signed next year. The time is now. They got their QB locked for 2 years. They have a team full of young talent. They just need a few more peices to take them over the top. I believe this is why Kupp and JJ are currently on the trade block. Not for the pick compensation but the money it frees up to get the finishing pieces in Free Agency. We shall see. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Here’s what I’d do if I was calling the shots. I used Google for guessing prices on the contract averages. I left some wiggle room if they cost more than this.

Sign LB Zack Baun for $15M.

Sign LB Dre Greenlaw for $10M.

Sign CB DJ Reed for $15M.

Sign CB Carlton Davis for $15M.

Sign DT BJ Hill for $10M.

Getting Baun would strengthen the Rams defense while weakening the Eagle’s defense.

Greenlaw is great when healthy. If an injury happens Speights could fill in without a huge drop off in play.

Reed and Davis are 2 of my top 3 favorite Free Agent CB’s available this off-season (Ward wants out of Cali). That would be scary with Verse and Fiske in the QB’s face.

BJ Hill is a solid piece for the DL to replace disgruntled Bobby Brown III.

Offensive coordinators would have nightmares before facing the Rams. I believe this would be a top 3 defense and allow McSnead to fully focus on re-tooling the offense this draft.

On to the draft… I love the thought of trading pick #26 down several times but I’ll just use their regular picks for this draft. I do have them trading Kupp and JJ for a 7th though.

1.26) Omarion Hampton RB

3.90) Savion Williams WR

3.100) Terrance Ferguson TE

4.125) Dont’e Thornton WR

6.188) Hollin Pierce OT/OG

6.199) Kyle Williams WR

6.200) Chimere Dike WR

7.CK) Jalin Conyers TE

7.JJ) Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson OT/OG

This is Kyren Williams last year under contract. I’d prefer to move on. He may even ask for a trade unless he wants to win a Superbowl first. Omarion Hampton is the new Bell Cow. 4.46 speed at 221lbs. Can catch and block. Doesn’t fumble. Enough said.

The Rams have 4 WR’s that are Free Agents or being traded leaving Puka and Whittington the only two under contract. This haul adds talented, cheap, youth to the WR corps.

Terrance Ferguson brings some speed and athleticism to the TE position. Jalin Conyers is a great blocker at 6’3.5” and 260lbs. He can run the Wildcat as well. He would be good depth. Maybe even release Parkinson at this point pre 6/1?

Hollin Pierce and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson are two large men that will need some polishing up. I think they could be solid depth at OT and OG. The hope is neither are needed in 2025.

Well that’s it. Let me know what you think. Should they go all in? How would you spend the money? Who would you have drafted instead? Let’s hear it in the comments.”