Rams face a Puka Nacua decision that will be a double-edged sword no matter which direction they go with the star wide receiver
Puka Nacua is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but should the Rams give him one? There are problems on both sides of the equation.
The Los Angeles Rams might have the best WR in the NFL on their roster. No, it’s not Davante Adams, it’s Puka Nacua. As Nacua enters the final years of his rookie deal, the Rams have a decision to make on his future this offseason, but it won’t be an easy one.
Puka Nacua 2025 stats
- 129 receptions.
- 1,715 receiving yards.
- 10 total touchdowns.
Should the Rams sign Puka Nacua to a contract extension before the 2026 season?
From a pure business and playmaking standpoint, the earlier the Rams sign Nacua, the better. They already know what benchmark he will be looking to pass following the Jaxon Smith-Njigba deal this offseason, and Nacua has quickly become the best in the sport.
The problem is, everything that happens off the field with Nacua. It has been documented that Nacua has checked himself into rehab to get help with alcohol and partying, and that was all while on his rookie deal. With an exponential increase in salary, the Rams will have to hope that the maturity follows.
But that’s the other problem. If the Rams decide to wait and see that Nacua has put his issues in the past, not only are they delaying the inevitability of signing him, but they are costing themselves a lot more money. To look at what a deal might look like, here’s Wendell Ferreira from A to Z Sports NFL.
What would a Puka Nacua extension look like?
“Quarterback Matthew Stafford will make yearly contract negotiations, but that’s a different situation. So let’s focus on Nacua, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. His salary jumped to $5.828 million due to the proven performance escalator, but he will most likely become the highest-paid receiver in football. Right now, that guy is Ja’Marr Chase, with a $40.25 million yearly average.”
“Nacua is only 25 and has been insanely productive, with 4,191 yards and 19 touchdowns over three seasons in the NFL. This is another of those instances where the sooner, the less expensive for the team. It’s Nacua’s first year of eligibility to sign an extension, and general manager Les Snead could be proactive to get things done. The Rams have almost $30 million in cap space, which means they can afford the initial impact of a new deal.” – Ferreira
Bottom line
This decision should be a no-brainer on paper, but the off-field concerns are at least enough to give the Rams pause when it comes to Nacua’s long-term future. We’ll see where things end up.