Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been within the headlines throughout the 2026 offseason – mostly for the unsuitable reasons.
The 25-year-old was accused in March of creating antisemitic statements to a lady before biting her on the shoulder. Also that month, he checked right into a luxury rehab center to concentrate on “personal growth.” Those issues put contract talks – a priority for Los Angeles entering the offseason – on the back burner, even after Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s take care of the Seahawks reset the market and effectively set Nacua’s asking price. Now, it appears he can have to attend until next offseason.
The Rams have had internal discussions about extensions for quite a lot of their 2023 draftees, including Nacua, but he is just not expected to receive a brand new deal before the 2026 season begins, in line with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. As a substitute, the previous fifth-round pick is poised to play out the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and begin negotiations with the team before he becomes a free agent in 2027.
Nacua addressed his off-field issues at training camp on Wednesday, explaining his commitment to therapy and making changes in his personal life.
“There have been some things that obviously happened this offseason that haven’t been the truest reflection of who I imagine I’m or how my mother raised me,” Nacua said (via Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post). “I’m attempting to take accountability for the things I do know I can change and proceed to grow from. I need to turn into one of the best version of myself on and off the football field.”
Nacua is already starting to point out a few of the growth the Rams are on the lookout for. Head coach Sean McVay praised his young wideout’s accountability and desire to learn from his actions.
“He’s motivated because his heart is in the precise place,” McVay said. “The contract side of things will maintain itself because he’s an incredible player.”
It stays possible that Nacua demonstrates enough personal growth in the course of the season for the Rams to restart negotiations sooner slightly than later. In any case, initial concerns popped up in December, when he live-streamed within the locker room following a game. He was later fined $25K for criticizing officials on one other livestream, which also featured what gave the impression to be an antisemitic gesture, though Nacua claimed ignorance of the gesture’s meaning.
Keeping his head down and his nose clean over the following few months could bring Los Angeles to the negotiating table, especially if a hot begin to the season is poised to boost his price tag even further. Nacua, who trails only Ja’Marr Chase in receiving yards during the last three years, should eclipse Smith-Njigba’s $42.15MM AAV on his extension. Waiting until next offseason – when one other salary cap increase will kick in – could give him a likelihood to go even higher.
Chase received $40.25MM per yr in 2025. Smith-Njigba beat that by $1.9MM this yr; a commensurate increase in 2027 would are available around $44MM. That’s before considering the potential for brand spanking new deals for Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, who could seek raises next offseason after seeing a minimum of three receivers pass them since signing. (That number could even grow to 5 if Zay Flowers, George Pickens, and/or one other receiver sign top-of-the-market deals within the interim.)
So while Nacua lost out on a large payday this offseason, he should still be in line for record-breaking money inside the following yr – provided he can stay out of trouble.