Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Tutu Atwell

Friday, May 16, 12:31 PM

Everyone concedes that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) was dealing with a torn right labrum and "significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff," but not everyone believes it's the full story of why he abruptly retired, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Katherine Terrell. Just before free agency in early March, word began to spread within league circles that Carr, who was heading into the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract, was open to playing elsewhere. According to three league sources, one of his representatives spoke with at least two teams in the market for a QB about potential interest in Carr. A team source said Carr had a close kinship with last season's coaches in New Orleans, who are all now gone, and the Saints' plan to restructure his contract was another potential source of friction. New head coach Kellen Moore never fully committed to Carr being the starter in 2025, either, before learning of his shoulder injury. It sounds as though in addition to his shoulder injury, Carr knew 2025 was going to be his last with the Saints, and rather than trying to figure out a plan to play elsewhere, he decided to hang up his cleats.

Wednesday, April 2, 9:37 PM

The Los Angeles Rams plan on giving wide receiver Tutu Atwell a bigger role in 2025. "I think the fans are accurate in that I haven't done a good enough job of utilizing him," head coach Sean McVay said. The Rams cut veteran Cooper Kupp this offseason and replaced him with All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, but the 25-year-old Atwell could be utilized more often in the passing attack after posting career-highs in catches (42) and receiving yards (562) in 17 regular-season games (five starts) in 2024. Most of his production came in Weeks 3-7 when both Kupp and Puka Nacua were out with injuries. Atwell has 99 career receptions for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns in 54 games (23 starts), averaging 13.6 yards per catch. Demarcus Robinson is also gone, so Atwell should start in most three-receiver sets alongside Nacua and Adams, giving him some sleeper potential in deeper fantasy leagues in 2025.