What a difference a week can make, especially for the Ram faithful. The Los Angeles Rams have suddenly turned an off-season of uncertainty into one with greater clarity. One big move was signing free-agent star wide receiver Davante Adams to a two-year contract $46 million contract with $26 million guaranteed.
Rams General Manager Les Snead had this to say about acquiring Adams. “We’re thrilled to bring Davante to Los Angeles. He’s one of the most polished route-runners in the game, and his ability to win one-on-one matchups will elevate our entire offense.”
Sean McVay, Rams head coach said, “When you have a chance to add a player of Davante’s caliber, you take it. He’s still at the top of his game, and the way he creates separation and makes plays in the red zone, that’s hard to find.”
Adams was signed a week after the Rams announced a contract extension with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who guided the franchise to its only Super Bowl title in Los Angeles in 2021. The contract will be restructured under his existing agreement that runs through 2026 and not an extension of years.
“We’re taking it a year at a time. I think he could play for a few more years if that’s what he wanted,” said McVay. “We’ve always had great dialogue… As long as he wants to play, I know we’re feeling really good about that.”
The Rams are bringing back quarterback Jimmy Garappolo who served as Stafford’s backup last season. Garappolo started the last game of the 2024 regular season, completing 27 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. But ultimately the Rams came up short against the Seattle Seahawks as many starters did not play in preparation for playoffs.
The Rams are also bring back 4-year wide receiver Tutu Atwell who signed a one-year deal worth $10 million. “We had some long talks of what our plan was,” said Atwell. “My full trust is in Drew (Rosenhaus). I believe that he made the right decision for me and did the right deal for me. It’s my job to go out and perform so we get whatever the case may be next year or whatever it is.”
Atwell is excited to learn from his new teammate, Davante Adams. “Just getting to know him as a person, that’s first and foremost. The ball will come later. I just want to meet him and see how he is as a person. After talking to him when we scrimmaged the Raiders at the joint practices, he seemed like a great person. We could relate to each other a little bit.”
But there is a downside for Rams fans in the Adams and Atwell signings with wide receiver Cooper Kupp as the casualty. Kupp, the heart and soul since the Rams return to Los Angeles along with retired and future Hall of Famer defensive tackle Aaron Donald, was released this week.
Kupp has stated from the beginning that he wanted to stay with the Rams. Incredibly, the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual from the Rams as far as what Kupp has left in the tank. But Kupp is adamant in his quest to keep playing for at least four more seasons regardless of which team he may play for.
“The way I see myself is I’m ascending, even if people on the outside say I’m descending,” Kupp told the L.A. Times a few days ago. “All they see is what happens on Sunday, and sometimes they don’t even see that and all they see is a stat line and decide, ‘Oh, this is who he is… That’s not going to define who I am, certainly. I’m not going to allow that… I know that I’m moving in the right direction.”
Stafford said on the “New Heights” podcast on Wednesday. “You’re around this game long enough and those kinds of things happen. And it’s tough, especially for a guy who has helped me and helped me get in with the Rams. I’ve spent probably more time with him than with any other teammate in my career. And that just happened organically.”
“He’s meant a ton to me as a plyer but even more as a person. You talk to guys around that team, guys that have been with him for an extended time, and he’s a fantastic player,” Stafford said. “He means a ton to our team. But just as a human being, he is as good as it gets.”
Kupp won the receiving Triple Crown in 2021, leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Stafford said Kupp would be missed on and off the field.
The Adams signing along with wide receiver Puka Nacua gives the Rams and Stafford one of the better wide receiving duo and possession threats in the NFL. $26 Million of Adams’ deal is guaranteed which includes an $8 million base salary and a $12 million signing bonus. There is also a $6 million roster bonus available if Adams remains on the team by the third day of the 2026 league year.
Adams has made First-Team All-Pro three times and is a six-time Pro Bowler. He has at least 1,000 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons, has 957 career receptions and is 33rd in NFL history with 11,844 all-time receiving yards. Adams’ 103 career touchdown receptions ranks 10th on the all-time list.
Last but not least, Puka Nacua will be wearing unform #12 starting this season trading in his #17 jersey he’s worn for the Rams the past two seasons. “Having watched my other siblings wear it,” Nacua told the Rams.com. “This is my opportunity to put on the special number 12. The opportunity to put on the one-two meant a lot to me.”