Tutu Atwell Reportedly Traded to Rams Ahead of 2026 NFL Season, Dolphins Return Revealed

With Sunday's NFL deadline to cut rosters to 53 players looming, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams reportedly made a trade involving two offensive skill players.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday the Dolphins traded wide receiver Tutu Atwell to the Rams in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter.

Both players likely would have struggled for consistent opportunities on their previous teams.

Hunter was behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in Los Angeles and may have lost carries to Ronnie Rivers as well. Atwell would have been competing with Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas, among others in Miami.

While Atwell still isn't going to see a ton of targets in Los Angeles with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams making up one of the best one-two receiver punches in the league, he is at least going back to a familiar location.

He played for the Rams from 2021 through 2025 and isn't far removed from the 2024 season when he finished with 42 catches for 562 yards. There is a chemistry in place with quarterback Matthew Stafford even if he was largely an afterthought in the offense last season on the way to 192 receiving yards.

Ideally for the Rams, Atwell can work in the slot and take advantage of favorable matchups when opposing defenses are too focused on Nacua and Adams. If he does that, he could be something of a familiar safety valve for Stafford as the NFC West team attempts to make another deep playoff run.

As for Hunter, he didn't see a single carry for the Rams last season.

Perhaps this change of scenery will lead to more opportunities for the 2025 fourth-round pick when the Dolphins mix in other backs outside of De'Von Achane.