Tutu Atwell had a quiet rookie season in 2021, struggling to carve out a role on offense in a crowded receiver room before eventually suffering a season-ending shoulder injury midway through the year. He’s been much more productive this season, catching 11 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown, also rushing for 27 yards on seven carries.
Atwell patiently waited for his opportunity and stayed ready for when it would come, and he’s taken advantage as a starter the last two weeks. Atwell credits Cooper Kupp for helping him improve before his second season, working closely with him all offseason.
“All work and dedication,” Atwell said on the “Rams Revealed” podcast. “Working with Coop all offseason. That was a big, big step. After the season, I texted Cooper telling him I wanted to get better and pretty much just, I want to be a big-time receiver. I took a hand in myself and we got together in the offseason, worked out, did some field work. I just worked out in the whole offseason, as well as I was getting my rehab in. and I just took that and took all the key points and coaching points from him and pretty much just put it in my game, as well. I feel like it’s paying off.”
Kupp is currently on injured reserve and unlikely to play again this season, but he’s still doing everything he can to help his teammates each week. He’s seen on the sidelines coaching up his fellow receivers, including Van Jefferson and Atwell.
“Coop, that’s just the type of person he is. Even in the meeting rooms, he coaches the meetings. He goes to meetings, sometimes he coaches the meetings,” Atwell said. “He’s a great person, even on the field, I even ask A-Rob or Stafford to look at me when I’m on the field. after that play or that drive, I’ll ask them, ‘Hey, did you see that? What I could’ve did?’ When I had the stunt route, I asked Coop, ‘Hey Coop, he’s playing outside, what should I do?’ And he was like, ‘OK, do this, line and step ‘em, get to your landmark.’ I did it and that’s when I caught the little pressure route. You just gotta play with it and mix it up with these guys. He had some good tips to give me and I’m grateful and glad that he’s on my team.”
Kupp sees the game similarly to the way Sean McVay does, and it sure seems like Cooper has a future in coaching at some point. Atwell is grateful to have both on his team because their knowledge is invaluable.
“They’re both smart persons, it’s kind of wild,” Atwell said. “Coach McVay, he memorizes everything. He memorizes stuff I did in college. I’m like, ‘How you remember that?’ He’s just a good coach and he knows everything, and I think Coop’s the same, as well.”
