Rams’ 2023 season’s ‘find’ Puka Nacua embraces the challenge of meeting high expectations in season opener against Lions

As Puka Nacua heads into the second year of his NFL career, all eyes are on him and the expectations to do well in the subsequent season is one he has to carry on his shoulders.

But the wideout for the Los Angeles Rams is not sweating it. On his recent appearance on NFL Network’s Schedule Release ’24, he seemed excited about the prospect of returning to the field, and despite the pressure on him to live up to the hype, he views it as a challenge more than anything else.

No, not really. Every week presented a different challenge and who we were playing against and also just trying to make sure I could prepare myself the best way to be able to be there on Sunday and perform my best. I think coming into this year, I think it definitely presents a challenge of just trying to reset the standard. Last year, from what I put on tape and tried to improve in the ways I know I'm capable of and then being there for my team in every way...I'm super excited for the challenges that come up this year. When confronted about the pressure on him, Nacua revealed

The star wide receiver is heading into this season with a clean slate; the past records and achievements do not matter; he intends to rewrite the standard this season.

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Puka Nacua set the new rookie record for most receiving yards and receptions

The wideout made history in his first year after he surpassed Bill Groman’s 1960 rookie record of 1,473 yards by ending his season with 1,486 yards.

He had seven 100-yard games last season and beat Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase in terms of total receiving yards. His focus remains to do what head coach Sean McVay asks of the offense and constantly improve himself. The Rams ended up being the true winners of the 2023 draft.

Nacua has a positive mindset and the right attitude needed to excel in the NFL. His chemistry with Matthew Stafford is straight out of the textbook, as the duo just clicked. He ended up having the ninth-most catches in the NFL and the fourth-most yards in the league. But he did have one advantage in his rookie season that top wideouts in the league did not; he was a rookie.

Defenses across the league had no idea as to how he operates and functions. But with plenty of film to gauge his tendencies, defensive coordinators will find a way to lock or limit Nacua.

The wideout understands this and knows that it is beyond his control. He is doing what is within his control, which is putting in the work and improving as a football player. Will Nacua repeat the rookie magic in his sophomore year? Fans most certainly hope so!