Atwell exemplifies how the wide receiver market has blown up
As wide receivers seem to be leaving the NFC West in masses (Deebo Samuel being traded to the Washington Commanders, Tyler Lockett being released, and Cooper Kupp and DK Metcalf both possibly being traded), one is set to stay for 2025.
The Los Angeles Rams and Tutu Atwell have reached a deal on a one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed contract. Atwell was set to be a free-agent next week and had been considered a possible option the Seahawks could look at to replace Lockett.
Atwell came into the NFL out of Louisville and was drafted by the Rams in the second round (just one pick after the Seahawks selected Dee Eskridge). Atwell receiving a fully guaranteed $10 million contract is somewhat surprising considering that he has not topped 600 receiving yards, nor has he had more than three touchdowns in his four-year career. Atwell, at $10 million is now making just below the likes of Allen Lazard and Jakobi Meyers (both who average $11 million per year. Meanwhile he is making just above the rookie contract for Marvin Harrison Jr., who is averaging $8.8 million per year.
Looking at this, Atwell’s contract may not necessarily be a testament to his statistical success (or lack thereof), but rather a statement on the wide receiver market as a whole. Even receivers who are third, maybe low-tier second on teams’ depth charts are now making double-digit figures. Meanwhile true number one receivers are looking for at least $30 million per year (the amount Brandon Aiyuk got last year.)
From Acme Packing Company’s Justis Mosqueda:
If you thought that only the top of the receiver market was rising, here’s the painful truth: The price is going up for all viable veteran receivers. If the going rate for third wide receivers is in the ballpark of $10 million to $13 million per year, the Green Bay Packers have big decisions to make moving forward.
These skyrocketing wide receiver numbers could be the crux of why DK Metcalf and the Seahawks are at an impasse contractually. Metcalf will want a new contract for 2025, and likely will be looking for at least $30 million per year as the monetary demands increase across the board at this position. However, that number may be too much for John Schneider’s liking, especially if another team starts floating around another cheap wide receiver paired with a high draft pick. There is only so much cap space that Schneider and the Seahawks have, and Metcalf’s asking price may be too high for them to come to an agreement.
All of this considered, could lead to Metcalf being one more wide receiver leaving the NFC West.