‘Historic’ Puka Nacua Decision Coming For The Los Angeles Rams After Crushing Playoff Defeat
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua turned a painful playoff ending into a defining moment for his future.
The Rams lost the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks in a tough way. Soon after, attention shifted to what the team will do next. Most of that talk now focuses on Nacua and a possible new contract.
After his huge 2025 season, many league insiders expect the Rams to move quickly and sign him to a long-term deal. ESPN reporter Dan Graziano said Los Angeles could offer an extension that would make Nacua one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
Nacua put together one of the best seasons by any wide receiver in recent years. Across 16 games, he posted the best numbers in every crucial category. He finished with 129 catches, 1,715 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. His performance made him the clear focal point of the Rams’ offense, and he definitely lived up to that.
He also performed well in the playoffs. In three postseason games, Nacua recorded 24 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He helped keep the Rams in the title race until the very end.
Rams Expected To Reward Nacua With Record Deal
The 24-year-old finished his season with first-team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection. He earned both while still on a low-cost rookie contract. The Rams picked him in the fifth round in 2023, and he is playing on a four-year, $4 million deal.
Nacua has only one year left on that contract. He can become a free agent after the 2026 season if the Rams do not extend him. Teams usually do not let players with his level of production reach free agency.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano expects the Rams to offer him a four-year, $156 million extension. The deal would reportedly include $90 million guaranteed at signing for Nacua. That would be the highest guarantee ever given to a wide receiver. It would top Justin Jefferson’s $88.7 million guarantee with the Vikings. Ja’Marr Chase still has the bigger total contract value at $161 million with the Bengals.
The Rams can afford a deal like this. They do not have any contracts worth $100 million on their roster. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has the team’s largest deal at $84 million.
Because of his age and impact, Nacua is the Rams’ top priority. After a season like this, the team looks ready to pay him accordingly.
