Just hours before kickoff in their preseason finale, the Los Angeles Rams shocked everyone by trading running back Jarquez Hunter for wide receiver Tutu Atwell. Hunter had been in the thick of a heated roster battle, but Atwell is suddenly a roster lock, a move that definitely spiced up their 2026 opening roster decisions.
Plot Twist! The Rams’ Roster Just Got Spicy
The drama around this roster isn’t just about trades either. There’s still a big mystery swirling around Aaron Donald’s potential return. You’d think the Rams’ 20-18 win over their roommates, the L.A. Chargers, in the preseason finale would clarify things, but nope. That game seemed to have little effect on the final roster reset, with the actual story coming from the few players who barely participated. The real kicker? Atwell’s return is controversial amongst fans because he spent his first five years in L.A. with more potential than actual distinction, and wasn’t even offered a contract after the 2025 season! Now he’s back, and Head coach Sean McVay and General Manager Les Snead are clearly building a mentally and physically tough squad that plays hard to the whistle. This roster was always gonna be tough to make, with only a few positions truly up for grabs for the newcomers.
Ty Simpson Is Cooking, But Who’s QB2?
The quarterback room, at least, seems pretty set with Matthew Stafford, Ty Simpson, and Stetson Bennett all making the cut. The only real debate is who gets the official QB#2 spot. Simpson looked seriously sharp and decisive on his short throws. We even saw Matthew Caldwell get 26 snaps, which is wild considering McVay doesn’t usually give his QB#4 camp arms that much action. And seriously, Simpson’s preseason numbers? He crushed it with 47/60 completions (78%), 382 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and ZERO interceptions, plus 19 first downs and a 109.9 passer rating. That’s a strong showing for his first NFL preseason, right? Over in the running back room, the Hunter trade wiped out all the debate. Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers are your three. It’s unusual for the Rams to give up on draft picks unless they’re just not a fit. For the practice squad, Dean Conners (38 snaps) edged out Jordan Watwers (36 snaps).
Who Made the Cut? WR Edition and PS Battles
Now, for the wide receivers, it’s Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and, of course, Tutu Atwell. Welcome home, indeed, Tutu! His addition basically means CJ Daniels (34 snaps) and Brennan Presley (53 snaps) are the odd men out, likely heading to the practice squad. Honestly, Presley was outstanding throughout the entire preseason slate, easily the best of the L.A. receivers. Tyler Scott (42 snaps) showed flashes, but like in his past, it wasn’t enough to secure a roster spot.
So, the Rams’ opening roster is locked, full of drama, mystery, and a few surprises. Now we just gotta wait for opening week to see how all these pieces fit together. What are we even looking at with this squad? It’s gonna be a wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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